Consultant outlines paving options; council directs manager to build FY27 budget to higher investment (Option D)

The council received a comprehensive briefing on Leesburg's pavement management program from consultant Eddie Staley of Withers Ravenel. Staley said the town's street network has an estimated current degraded replacement value of about $82 million and that full replacement today would amount to about $120 million. He explained the pavement condition index (PCI) framework, showed a recent condition assessment (town average in the mid‑60s), and described a toolbox of treatments (rejuvenation, crack sealing, microsurfacing/cape seals, mill & overlay, full reconstruction).

Staley presented modeled strategies and funding scenarios: the town's current planned investment (including CIP) averages about $3.2 million per year and maintains the network around the mid‑60s PCI; Option C (about $4.6 million/year) would move the network toward a PCI ~72; Option D is a larger investment that would push the network toward the 80 range and eliminate very poor streets but requires a substantial increase in annual spending. The consultant stressed lifecycle benefits of treating streets earlier (managing roads in the 65–81 PCI range yields better returns) and said deferring work typically increases long‑term costs significantly.

In Q&A, councilors asked about winter maintenance effects, the lifespan and repeatability of rejuvenation and microsurfacing, whether additional staff would be required, and model assumptions (a 3% annual inflation factor was included in unit costs). The consultant said many treatments would be contracted; the model includes inspection and related costs.

Vice Mayor Simono Johnson advocated for Option D and told council she expected a higher level of service; the town manager (Renee) said she would build the upcoming budget to Option D for council review and warned the higher funding level could require a tax increase or reallocation of data‑center revenues. Councilors asked staff to present funding scenarios and the impact on other priorities in the upcoming budget cycle.