Last night, the Purcellville Town Council held a special meeting that sparked substantial discussions surrounding agenda transparency, meeting timing, and the potential recruitment of an interim town manager. The session revealed notable divisions among council members and highlighted the need for improved communication within the town’s governance.
The rationale behind convening a special meeting during a recess month was a central issue. Several council members questioned the urgency of the agenda items, emphasizing the necessity for proper research and staff reports, particularly regarding proposed changes to the tourism zone. Throughout the gathering, calls for greater clarity on the motivations behind these agenda items were prevalent, with members underscoring the importance of transparency for both the council and the public.
A key topic was the consideration of hiring another interim town manager, given that Diana Hayes was recently appointed to the position after a unanimous vote on July 25, 2025, when Kwasi Fraser was placed on administrative leave. Questions were raised about the financial implications, particularly due to the high costs associated with such a position and the significant turnover the town has experienced in recent years. Some members questioned the necessity of appointing another interim manager when the current acting assistant town manager is effectively fulfilling the role.
Discussions also raised concerns about the process for hiring a new interim town manager—whether HR [Human Resources] would initiate an internal search or if Purcellville would use an outside consulting firm. Council Member Rayner noted past challenges with securing consulting services, stating, “The last time we had to go to the firms through VRSA [Virginia Risk Sharing Association], and they all denied us because this would be our ninth Town Manager in the last five years. They all turned us down.”
Budget transparency became another point of contention. Members highlighted the need for clarity regarding funding for a new interim manager, particularly because the town’s recently approved budget had already endured significant cuts. The HR Director underscored the financial challenges, stating, “We have no funding.” Staff recommended a budget amendment before advertising for an interim town manager to ensure funds are available, with agreement to place such an amendment on the September agenda.
The meeting also placed adopting a new Strategic Plan as an action item. Disagreements surfaced over whether all council members had properly submitted their prioritized items. Council Members Luke and Khalil directed blame at absent members from the Saturday Strategic Planning Session, arguing that their contributions were missing from the agenda packet, leading to confusion. This topic was deferred to September.
Council action regarding the Tourism Zone led to confusion about the urgency of ordinance changes, considering it had not been used since its adoption in 2012. Council Member Khalil expressed concern that the Tourism Zone provided benefits not available to other businesses. Council Member Rayner and Planner Jordan Andrews reviewed the history and purpose of the Tourism Zone, as it was adopted to encourage redevelopment in older town sections.
During citizen comments, Casey Chapman from Vineyard Square addressed misinformation about the Tourism Zone, stating, “This zoning designation only applies if you have a hotel. Vineyard Square was never approved for a hotel.” All Council Members except Khalil agreed to defer this item for future consideration.
A unified resolution emerged from a discussion item to update the Council’s policies and procedure manual. Council Member Stought was appointed to explore options for determining suggested citizen comment times based on sign-ups, acknowledging the need to balance meeting length with providing citizen voices.
The meeting revealed strong emotions, with visible frustration and exchanged accusations among council members, highlighting divisions within the group. Concerns regarding respect and transparency underscored communication barriers that hindered productive dialogue.
Overall, the meeting emphasized the urgent need for a collaborative and transparent approach to effectively govern the town of Purcellville.