April 29, 2025, Purcellville, VA – The Town of Purcellville announces that the special budget meeting scheduled for tonight has been canceled and postponed to May 6, 2025. 

This cancellation follows confirmation from the Commonwealth Attorney’s Office stating that Council Member Nett is ineligible to vote on the budget. At 4:11 p.m. today, the Mayor sent an email to the Town Council and town staff clarifying the April 21st opinion issued by the Commonwealth’s Attorney.

The email noted, “Although the April 21st opinion conflicts with those previously provided by the Town Attorney and the Virginia Conflict of Interests and Ethics Advisory Council, it expressly prohibits the Vice Mayor from participating in any votes or discussions concerning the Town of Purcellville’s Fiscal Year 2026 budget deliberations. Therefore, I am postponing any further budget discussions until this issue is resolved.”

In response to the cancellation, Council Members Kevin Wright, Caleb Stought, and Erin Rayner issued the following statement: “In response to an opinion by the Commonwealth’s Attorney of Loudoun County stating that the Vice Mayor must recuse himself from voting on the town budget, Mayor Bertaut has canceled tonight’s budget session at the last minute, as well as any further budget discussions. Despite the urgent need to pass a balanced budget that pays our staff and keeps the town running, the Mayor is engaged in delay tactics for the sake of a political ally. At this point, it’s clear the Mayor is putting politics over Purcellville.”

The rescheduled meeting is scheduled for May 6, 2025, at 6:00 at Purcellville Town Hall. Town officials encourage community members to attend and listen to the budget discussion.