Town of Purcellville, VA – The political atmosphere in Purcellville is becoming increasingly contentious, especially after Vice Mayor Carl “Ben” Nett initiated legal proceedings against Commonwealth Attorney Bob Anderson. Nett’s complaint, lodged on May 23 in the Loudoun County Circuit Court, seeks a declaratory judgment to invalidate Anderson’s advisory opinion regarding Nett’s conflict of interest in Town Council affairs.
Central to this controversy is the timeline surrounding the selection of Mike Jones as the consultant for the assessment of the Purcellville Police Department (PPD). Notably, Jones met with Town Manager Kwasi Fraser and Vice Mayor Nett on January 27 at a local restaurant—well before the formal bidding process began on February 14. This meeting raises concerns about the transparency and integrity of the contracting process, particularly as Fraser announced on February 25 his decision to hire a consultant following several resignations and retirements within the department.
Fraser has defended his choice of Jones as the lowest qualified bidder, despite the pre-bid meeting with Council Member Nett, which Councilmember Kevin Wright described as potentially problematic given Nett’s position as vice mayor and former police officer.
On April 30, Mayor Bertaut posted an announcement on his political Facebook page stating, “I am postponing further budget discussions until we receive additional legal clarity” regarding the Commonwealth Attorney’s opinion that prohibits Vice Mayor Nett from participating in budget discussions. During the most recent budget meeting, Nett was absent, and the council majority chose not to vote or engage in meaningful dialogue about the budget. Critics argue that Bertaut and his council allies are intentionally stalling for time to appeal the Commonwealth Attorney’s opinion. This tactic becomes especially concerning with the budget deadline looming on July 1, 2025.
It seems the Council will encounter challenges in passing a budget, as Mayor Bertaut has indicated he will not negotiate “utility” fees. Without thorough discussions among the Town Council Members about a budget that guarantees the financial viability of Purcellville over the next five years, it will be impossible to establish a suitable budget that serves the town’s best interests.
Five years ago, during budget reviews in the spring of 2020, Town Manager Makarski provided the following remarks to Mayor Fraser’s Town Council: “We asked Stantec what do we need to maintain the status quo, and they said 4%. That is no capital improvements and no additional debt; that is what you need to maintain the status quo. What is remaining? It was $2.3 million in debt and $1.2 million annually in capital improvements. We need to move the compass to $3.5 or $3.6 million a year. There is not a lot of monetizing our assets that will get us $3.5 million per year.”
Recently, Purcellville paid our financial advisors $31,000 for just one month of consultation. The majority Town Council has repeatedly ignored, except for FY 25, valuable guidance from experts, allowing our financial situation to deteriorate.
Given the ongoing governance issues, residents are urged to engage with the Town Council and express their concerns about the intentional stall in budget discussions. The town faces serious financial stability concerns, with delays in budget discussions, a lack of collaboration among Council members, and a refusal to negotiate on key issues like utility fees. These factors could lead to significant financial problems, jeopardizing the town’s ability to provide essential services and maintain infrastructure. The future of Purcellville’s budget—and its operational stability—hangs in the balance, making community voices essential in advocating for transparent and responsible governance during this crisis.
The next Town Council meeting is scheduled for June 10 at 6 PM.