It was a relatively brief meeting for the Leesburg Town Council on Monday. The Council voted to allow the Police Department to occupy and renovate the former location of Allen’s Lock and Key which is connected to the police department offices.

The Council also voted unanimously to promote Officer Hennae McGinnis to full time status so that she can attend the Police Academy in January.

The town will also once again be participating in the WEIS Radio Shop At Home Campaign and following some brief discussion a motion was made granting permission to Mayor Brandy Pierce and Councilman Wayne Byram to negotiate the purchase of an arm mower tractor from the County Highway Department, Mayor Pierce said that the town had budgeted $20,000 for the equipment.

The Council also approved the purchase of two office chairs for town hall and will also be looking at prices for new bookshelves in the office as well.

In other business, Mayor Pierce presented for discussion a Lodging Tax Ordinance to be considered for approval, the council agreed that the amount of that tax will be five percent in order to stay in line with surrounding municipalities, the matter will be further discussed and voted on at a later meeting.

Representatives from First Southern State Bank were also in attendance at the meeting in order to present the Leesburg Fire Department with a donation in the amount of $500 – the Fire Department has also been awarded a grant from Norfolk Southern in the amount of $2,000 – Fire Chief Joe Sonaty that these funds will be used to purchase some safety equipment in addition to a new pump for the departments tanker truck.

The Leesburg Police Department was also awarded a $1,000 grant from Norfolk Southern which will be used to help renovate the new addition to the office.