As Purcellville’s next Town Council meeting draws near, questions are emerging about the agenda, which currently does not include any action items. A motion concerning the police department’s budget has been placed in the “DISCUSSION/INFORMATIONAL ITEMS” section, leading to discussions about the reasoning behind this categorization.
The recent approach taken by Interim Town Manager Kwasi Fraser regarding the presentation of action items and motions in the agenda packet departs from typical protocol.
Item 12a on the agenda proposes amending the vote from April 22, 2025, to allocate $3.2 million for the Police Department in FY26, alongside revised funding based on the proposed budget of $3,258,617. While this item includes a motion for approval that arguably should be classified as an action item, the council’s choice to handle it as a discussion item raises concerns about transparency and thorough debate.
Additionally, Item 12b addresses the FY26 Fiscal Plan and the Master Tax and Fee Schedule. Currently, this item provides minimal information, leaving residents unclear about the town’s financial priorities. Similarly, Item 12e, concerning future Town Council meetings and agenda topics, indicates a need for further discussion but lacks clarity about when a budget vote might occur.
Councilmember Nett’s voting status adds another layer of complexity. Although he can participate in discussions, he is unable to vote on the police budget. If the proposed amendment is approved, he will subsequently be involved in voting on the remaining budget, which will not include the police budget section. This arrangement has raised questions among residents regarding the council’s budgetary plans, especially given the inadequate information leading up to this meeting.
The urgency for budget discussions is underscored by the approaching deadline of June 17 for finalizing the budget. However, relevant topics related to the budget appear to be absent from the upcoming agenda. Mayor Chris Bertaut has stressed the importance of timely action, stating, “We have a deadline. We need to make a decision and move forward,” and highlighting the need to focus on what’s best for the town. He indicated that there may still be time for discussions to occur on June 10, although this assurance seems insufficient considering the lack of prepared materials and the deadline.
Councilmember Erin Rayner has called for transparency, noting, “It’s a difficult decision, but we have to be transparent and make sure everyone understands where the money is going.” Similarly, Councilmember Kevin Wright emphasized the importance of addressing issues directly to maintain community trust, stating, “If we don’t address these issues directly, we risk losing the trust of the community.”
If the council adopts the Interim Town Manager’s proposed budget, it could result in significant cuts or freezes in critical staff positions across town operations. Concerns have also been raised regarding the transfer of funds from the General Fund to the utility fund, an action that could affect Purcellville’s credit rating with bond agencies. Such transfers can only be sustained for 2 to 4 years before falling below policy levels. Additionally, the budget does not provide clarity on how the town plans to finance over $34 million in utility Capital Improvement Projects. Interim Town Manager Fraser has mentioned that improvements to roads and sidewalks could potentially be funded by Loudoun County, VDOT, or NVTA, although these funding sources have yet to be confirmed.
These developments are causing concern among residents regarding the budget process and the council’s transparency. The next Town Council meeting is scheduled for June 10 at 6 PM. Community members are encouraged to engage in discussions and seek clarity on these critical issues.