Leesburg Environmental Advisory Commission Meeting – November 4, 2026

The Leesburg Environmental Advisory Commission (EAC) met on November 4, 2026. The meeting covered FY27/FY28 budget planning, two approved spending motions, a positive debrief of the Halloween parade and Pumpkin Smash, the proposed 2027 Pumpkin Smash date, string-light recycling logistics, and staff updates. No agenda or minutes were available with the raw transcript.

Consent Calendar

• The agenda was approved by consensus without amendments.
• The October 6 meeting minutes were approved by consensus without amendments.

Discussion Items

• Keeps Leesburg Beautiful packet pickup: The group could not attend but had proposed a Friday-evening packet pickup at Market Station before its kickoff event. The EAC did not commit; the chair said she would follow up to clarify what participation was being requested.
• FY27/FY28 budget: Staff reported the FY27 budget includes a one-time $5,000 enhancement; without a new request, the FY28 base reverts to $3,500. Remaining FY27 funds were cited as about $3,427.50 in a public-input/engagement account and $675 for office supplies, with spending needed by June 30. The fiscal year runs July 1 to June 30. Members discussed using funds for raffle prizes, parade costumes, candy or alternative giveaways, native plants, and rolling totes/wagons for equipment storage; a detailed spending-list discussion was moved to the next meeting.
• Raffle prizes: The commission voted to purchase more of the same raffle kits used previously for the Flower and Garden Show, and staff was directed to begin procurement.
• Reimbursement: The commission voted to reimburse a member for documented Halloween parade and outreach expenses; staff will submit the request to the town manager.
• COPA calendar: The EAC agreed to send a letter to COPA asking that Keeps Leesburg Beautiful and Pumpkin Smash be included in the town calendar, with a recommended Pumpkin Smash date of Saturday, November 6, 2027. Members supported holding the event later than the day after Halloween to allow more time for pumpkin drop-off and participation.
• Salt Summit: The chair said she and two public works staff members will attend the Loudoun County Salt Summit on November 5 and will brief the EAC in December.
• Halloween parade and Pumpkin Smash debrief: Members described both events as successful. Recycle Coach interactions totaled 4,752 between October 27 and November 3, up from 3,833 in the prior comparison week; the town was described as top performing for Recycle Coach interactions compared with peers of the same size who also use the tool. Members supported creating a small costume/props and candy/giveaway budget for future parades and said the recycling message should stay simple.
• String-light collection: Bins will be placed on Monday, November 16, at the rec center, town hall, and wastewater treatment plant, with a press release the same day. Costs are expected to be covered from bag-tax funds or the staff liaison's budget; one location initially raised illegal-dumping concerns.
• Herbicide policy: The chair had not yet completed the draft recommendations and planned to finish them that week.
• Drone show proposal: A member plans to present the proposed July 3 drone show first to the Diversity Commission in December, then to the Parks and Recreation Commission. Parks and recreation staff had previously pushed back on cost, though the proposal was described as roughly the same cost as the current fireworks show. The retiring parks director was noted as a possible opening for fresh review.
• Parks and Recreation Master Plan: Staff shared that the updated 25-year plan will be unveiled to commission chairs at a virtual meeting on November 16, with comments due November 30. Members noted the turnaround is very short and discussed asking for more time and circulating the plan.
• Pollinator sculptures: COPA requested pollinator sculptures at Fox Ridge Park; members saw a potential tie-in with EAC and Keeps Leesburg Beautiful programming.
• Commission appointments: Staff reminded members whose terms expire at the end of 2026 to reapply; appointment sources vary by council member and mayor.

Key Outcomes

• Approved the agenda and the October 6 minutes by consensus.
• Approved the purchase of additional raffle kits for the Flower and Garden Show.
• Approved reimbursement, as supported by receipts, for a member's Halloween parade expenses; staff will process it through the town manager.
• Agreed to send a letter to COPA requesting calendar inclusion of Keeps Leesburg Beautiful and Pumpkin Smash, with a target Pumpkin Smash date of Saturday, November 6, 2027.
• Directed staff to bring itemized parade costs, rolling tote/wagon options, and FY2027 spending proposals to the next meeting on December 1.
• Scheduled string-light collection bins to launch Monday, November 16, with a coordinated press release.
• Agreed to continue drone show outreach with the Diversity Commission in December, followed by the Parks and Recreation Commission.
• The FY28 budget discussion was not finalized, but members leaned toward not increasing the budget; the transcript cited Friday, December 12 as the budget deadline, though December 12, 2026 is a Saturday, so that date may need verification.