At the August 3^rd Leesburg Town Council Meeting attorney Chad Hopper explained a petition for Leesburg to vacate a portion of Bristow Gap Road. The road concern arose after the sheriff’s department built a training facility there. With the increase in traffic, the road needed expansion. The town of Leesburg couldn’t financially take on the expense.

The petition asked that the mayor deed over that portion of the road to the multiple landowners and the Cherokee County Commission. The commission would then carry the fiscal burden to expand the road. Hopper emphasized that the road will not be closed off to the public. The council agreed that deeding over the road was the best course of action, and Mayor Brandy Pierce signed the papers after the meeting.

In the pre-council meeting Pat Waddell of the Northeast Alabama Challenger Learning Center in Rainbow City asked the council to consider financial assistance to local students to attend the educational center. The council took no action, but they agreed to discuss possible funding during the August 12^th budget meeting.

The council also heard from auditor, Mike Sewell of McClure, Sewell, Johnson, & Associates. Sewell stated that there were no audit issues or red flag. He reported that Leesburg had $1.928 million in total revenues and $2.093 million in expenditures. Sewell suggested the town consider and investment policy to add revenue.

Mayor Pierce updated his talks with agencies about creating a “No Wake” zone in the canal at Leesburg Landing. The state would make the “No Wake” signs, and the town would furnish the polls and help install them. Pierce said that the Weiss Lake Improvement Association is willing to help with the setting of the poles, and that the signs should come within the month. The council voted to fund $457 for the price of the poles.

Other council action included approval of a $32,312 final sewer expansion payment, $977 of retiree longevity bonuses, and $1,000 to pay for expenses at the August 29^th 250 mural dedication ceremony.

The council took no action regarding Leesburg Day, but the mayor reminded everyone that it will be held in the park September 12^th from 9 – 12 am with the gospel singing that evening at 6:30 pm. The group did vote that Trunk-or-Treat should be October 31^st from 5-8 pm at The Landing pavilion.

For more details listen to the attached audio file.