Leesburg Town Manager John Wells outlined his proposed fiscal 2013 budget to the Leesburg Town Council Feb. 13, which included a real estate tax of 19.5 cents and a proposed total budget of $88.8 million.

Wells’ proposed budget comes in a little less than the projected fiscal 2013 budget of $94 million.

Fiscal 2013 is part two of the biennial budget that covered fiscal 2012 and was approved by a Council resolution.

With respect to that resolution and the Council’s long term financial plan through fiscal 2017, Wells only presented significant exceptions or revisions necessary to the Town in the general fund operating budget, the Capital Improvements Program and the Utilities Fund budget.

“This budget presents a practical plan for the future and there are very few changes from last year,” Wells said. “There are no significant exceptions that I am recommending to you that change the basic framework and assumptions through fiscal 2017.”

According to Wells’ presentation, the real estate tax rate of 19.5 cents is the same figure as the equalized tax rate, which is also a 19.5-cent rate.

Wells and his staff are not expecting any changes to the real estate tax rate for fiscal 2014, either.

With the elimination of the Airport Fund this fiscal year, the Leesburg Executive Airport will now be included in the General Fund and the Airport Capital Improvements Program will be included in the Capital Projects Fund.

Leesburg homeowners will see a slight increase in their taxes if the proposed budget is adopted. Taxes for single family detached homes are expected to increase 2.3 percent or $18.56. Taxes for single family townhomes will increase approximately 2 percent or $9.71 and condominiums will be raised by 1.1 percent or $2.74.

Wells noted that the most significant change is reflected in the Town’s General Fund revenues.

“Overall General Funds revenues, to include Leesburg Executive Airport revenue starting in fiscal 2012, decreased a modest $103,361 or 22 percent,” Wells said. “This assumes a constant real property tax rate.

“The General Fund will no longer receive the Federal Gang Grant revenues which provided 85 percent of the program funding. However, I am recommending the Town pick up the funding of this successful program,” Wells said.

Also outlined in the presentation was funding for allowing a 3 percent compensation adjustment for employees based on performance; the costs for Town Code supplements; improvements to the tennis and flag football programs; the replacement of old, high mileage utility vehicles; and a significant increase in utility chemical costs.

Public hearings to discuss the proposed budget will be held Feb. 27, Feb. 28 and March 13.