Allyson Berry, Mayor, City of Leesburg

April 2026 — Allyson Berry, mayor of the city of Leesburg, spoke with Invest: about managing rapid growth, infrastructure investment, and balancing affordability with quality of life. “Within the next five years, I think we’ll be looking at a whole different city, but a stronger foundation,” Berry said.

What key milestones and strategic initiatives have defined Leesburg’s progress over the past year?

Over the past year, Leesburg has focused on smart growth supported by sound budgeting and targeted investment. We adopted a fiscally responsible budget aimed at long-term infrastructure needs, public safety, and staffing. Our operating budget is approximately $208 million, and with capital projects included, the total is roughly $608 million.

Infrastructure has stayed at the center of our work. We are advancing road improvements, utility upgrades, and updates to parks and our waterfront to strengthen quality of life. We have also continued downtown neighborhood revitalization and community redevelopment area improvements to keep key districts moving in the right direction.

Recreation is another priority, including a major project on Susan Street to convert fields for more multi-use play. That supports sports like soccer, lacrosse, rugby, and football, and it positions the city to host more tournaments and community activity. Overall, we have been building a stronger foundation and positioning Leesburg for continued growth.

As a person born and raised in Leesburg, how have you noticed community needs shifting over the years with Leesburg continuing to grow?

As more people move to Leesburg, we have to adjust services and capacity. I grew up here, went away for school and work, and then returned during COVID to care for my mother, so I have seen the city through two lenses: the place it has always been to me and the place it is becoming. During that period, I spent a lot of time walking different neighborhoods and trails, and it made changes more visible, including areas where quality of life was improving and areas where challenges, like homelessness, were becoming harder to ignore.

That includes policing and fire, but it also includes utilities, public works, and customer support, especially around providing efficient service and clear information.

Infrastructure is one of the most pressing needs. Residents feel it in roads, sidewalks, drainage, and utility systems, and traffic has become a frequent concern. Trips that once took 10 minutes may now take 15 or 20, and that shift can be frustrating for long-standing residents.

Leesburg is still a retirement destination, but it is also becoming more connected to the broader Orlando region. Growth has brought new investment and new developers, and that creates real pressure on mobility and infrastructure. It is all tied together, and our planning has to anticipate change while keeping smart growth as the guiding principle.

How do you ensure communication with residents to support transparency in city processes?

Transparency and trust have to come first. We are strengthening customer service by improving internal processing and using technology more effectively so departments can respond faster and more consistently. Our goal is that when residents reach out, they receive clear answers and follow-through from the mayor and commissioners.

We also encourage residents to attend public meetings so they can hear discussions firsthand and engage directly. When people only hear someone else’s version, hearsay tends to fill in the blanks. Engagement helps replace assumptions with facts.

Trust is also built through follow-through, especially during emergency situations. When we communicate clearly and as openly as possible, people are more willing to listen and work with us. Ultimately, adapting to changing expectations means building trust.

Statewide trends like migration and housing affordability are shaping many communities. How are these issues impacting Leesburg?

Housing affordability is one of the biggest challenges we are facing, and it is consistently one of the highest-demand topics in the community. Transportation is also important, especially for residents who are not able to drive, but housing remains the top concern.

Migration continues to bring working families, retirees, and remote workers to the region, and it changes expectations quickly. We are planning for growth in a way that supports business activity while protecting neighborhoods, but affordability is where the tension shows up most quickly. People are looking for options that fit different needs, including single parents, retirees, and residents who invested in acreage and now see development approaching. We also hear from residents who chose Leesburg specifically for its quiet character and are concerned about how to preserve that feeling while still meeting the reality of demand.

We average roughly 180 to 220 new residents per month in the Leesburg area. With that pace, the conversation around housing is constant, and it connects directly to services and jobs. We have to create capacity while staying focused on quality of life, and that balance is not easy.

How have regional organizations, developers, and community groups supported this economic development moment in Leesburg?

Collaboration has been key. Between the county, developers, and municipalities, we hold meetings every 90 days so city mayors and managers can compare what they are seeing, identify trends, and align on priorities. Public safety and infrastructure planning are consistent focus points because growth in one place affects the rest of the region.

Traffic patterns are a clear example of that connectivity. When the Florida Turnpike is backed up, cars divert through local roads and move through cities until they can rejoin the highway. Those moments show how interconnected our communities are and why planning cannot happen in isolation.

We want stronger data-driven decision-making and better monitoring tools so we can coordinate infrastructure work and public safety efforts, reduce disruption, and keep people moving. The goal is growth that benefits the broader area as a whole.

Leesburg is investing in technology to improve operations. What examples stand out?

Utilities are a prime focus. We want residents to be notified more quickly about outages, and we want communication to be clearer about where to go and what to do in the event of an emergency. We are also improving how we communicate about road closures and road work so people can plan ahead and reduce congestion.

Internally, we are using more modern tools to monitor systems and plan maintenance with better information. Digital transformation also has to be inclusive. Technology should enhance service, but it cannot replace human connection, especially in a community with an aging population.

That is why we are also focused on keeping our websites updated and user-friendly, and on making sure residents can access information in practical, everyday ways.

When you look at the next three to five years, what is your outlook for Leesburg’s operations and community development?

In three to five years, I believe Leesburg will look significantly different, driven by growth and development. Our approach is to be intentional and to balance housing with economic opportunity. Downtown revitalization and mixed-use development will continue to shape the city’s future.

Infrastructure remains critical, and public safety and utilities will always be priorities. Recreation is also part of Leesburg’s identity and economic activity. As a lakefront city, we host bass tournaments and other events, and we expect additional sports activity as facilities expand, including lacrosse and rugby.

Within the next five years, I think we’ll be looking at a whole different city, but a stronger foundation, because we are planning ahead to stay inclusive, sustainable, and anchored in the values that matter to the Leesburg community.