Purcellville’s financial legacy at risk

How Mayor Milan’s policies could undermine years of fiscal responsibility

By Kwasi Fraser, former Town of Purcellville Mayor

For starters, I want to make clear there is a policy prescription for what ails our town. I fully endorse and ask the citizens of Purcellville to elect Christ Bertaut for Mayor and, for Town Council, Ben Nett, Brian Green, Susan Khalil, and Jon Arnburg. The entire slate, without exception, offers solutions and not manufactured issues.

It’s a sad time for Purcellville when the current mayor has to completely distort the progress we made prior to his about face just a year ago. He says he was “duped.” I think Mayor Milan is being duped right now—by the big money interests funding his campaign. It seems like just yesterday that Councilwoman Erin Rayner was accusing Mr. Milan of taking inappropriate pics of her from the Council dais. Now, he calls her his “little butterfly.” The transformation in their relationship is, indeed, a sight to behold.

The previous administration—my administration—set Purcellville on a solid, sustainable path with a long-term debt management strategy that minimized financial strain on taxpayers and ensured fiscal responsibility. Unfortunately, this progress is now at risk, as Mayor Stan Milan and his slate of candidates push for double-digit water rate increases and pursue annexations that could lead to large-scale industrial and multi-family housing developments, undermining the town’s financial health and resulting in traffic congestion and burden on water resources.

The town’s General Fund Debt was scheduled to be fully paid off by 2034, with no annual increases—just a steady, manageable payment averaging $992,000 per year from 2022 to 2034.

Similarly, the Parks and Recreation debt was on track to be retired by 2037, with stable annual payments of $82,700. Consistent progress without surprises.

The debt for Fireman’s Field was planned to be completely paid off by 2027, with an annual payment of $85,000—again, with no increases, just steady payments until it’s cleared.

Water revenue had been positioned at 4.18 times the annual water debt payment, ensuring strong cash flow while keeping annual rate increases in the single digits. The water debt was projected to be fully retired by 2038.

Sewer revenues were 2.46 times the debt payments, with a prudent strategy of single-digit annual rate increases, ensuring the town would be free from sewer debt by 2040.

This disciplined approach kept Purcellville financially sound, balancing revenue growth with minimal impact on residents. Mayor Milan’s current course, however, threatens to unravel years of careful planning, potentially leading the town into financial instability and eroding the fiscal health we’ve worked hard to maintain. Milan and his team are likely to do something no Purcellville government has done since the last pro-growth Town Council when Bob Lazaro was mayor: burden Purcellville residents with additional debt.

The Truth is Clear, and The People of Purcellville Know Better

During the mayoral debate on September 16, Mayor Milan asserted that his administration achieved more for Purcellville in less than two years than the previous administration did in eight. Milan and his team are railroading policies through at a rapid pace regardless of citizen input to the contrary. 

Milan’s assertion of “achievement” amounts to ignoring what people say at public hearings about the Northern Collector Road, ignoring citizen concerns about the traffic impacts of additional development, and ignoring Mayfair residents’ request to leave county land in their vicinity as it is.

This is yet another attempt by Mayor Milan, Council Member Stought, and their slate of candidates to erase history—replacing fact with fiction. Their efforts began by removing the 2022 State of the Town Address from the Town’s website. The voters of Purcellville deserve the truth, and for those who may not be fully aware, let’s examine the significant accomplishments of the prior administration over the last eight years:

1. Protected the Town’s Resources: By rejecting two annexation proposals after carefully listening to citizens, we safeguarded Purcellville’s water resources and road infrastructure. The Valley Springs development alone, if annexed, would have added over 250 cars to our roads. Instead, we reduced that number to 78. The Warner Brook annexation would have added over 3,500 additional weekday trips on Purcellville Road. Currently Mayor Milan and Council Member Kevin Wright support continuing annexation discussions. Council Member Caleb Stought, although voting against further discussions, has publicly said if the town doesn’t annex the property—the county could approve the same project. This is false, and is a fear technique. 

2. Updated the Comprehensive Plan: We successfully revised and adopted a new 2030 Town Comprehensive Plan, setting the stage for slow growth and responsible development.

3. Invested in Infrastructure and Business Growth: We prioritized investments in road, water, and sewer infrastructure on 21^st Street, enabling key businesses like Southern States, Bia Kitchen, Tree of Life Ministries, Another Turn Tack Shop, Monk’s BBQ, Catoctin Creek Distillery, and Nichols Hardware Store to invest millions in the community.

4. Led in Environmental Innovation: We planted a forest, establishing Virginia’s largest nutrient credit bank on municipal land, yielding over $900,000 in net revenue for the town and an 800% return on investment.

5. Supported the Construction of Adam’s Bike Park: With the support of private funding spearheaded by Adam Caudill›s mother, we championed the construction of a space for recreation and community connection in Adam›s memory. 

6. Pioneered Public Health Initiatives: Collaborating with MIT and Harvard during COVID-19, we monitored community health using wastewater epidemiology, detecting virus spread in an innovative, cutting-edge way.

7. Converted Blight into Innovation: We transformed a dilapidated town property into a community makerspace, teaching valuable skills like welding, robotics, and drone research. During the pandemic, local students even built 200 desks for remote learning, and volunteers crafted face shields for frontline workers.

8. Reduced inherited Debt by $9 Million: Our administration made fiscal responsibility a priority, cutting debt by $9 million and eliminating early prepayment penalties and balloon payments, saving millions in future interest.

9. Protected Water and Sewer Rates: We kept water and sewer rates low, allowing residents to keep more of their hard-earned money while reducing overall debt—resulting in $8 million in cash flow savings.

10. Maintained Our S&P AAA Credit Rating: Despite economic challenges, we retained a top-tier credit rating throughout our tenure, a testament to sound financial management.

11. Equalized the tax rate: We lowered the Fireman’s Field District tax, and found ways to deliver more with less.

12. Prevented a Financial Crisis: We restructured the wastewater fund debt, avoiding a looming $2.9 million annual balloon payment that would have crippled the town’s finances between 2020 and 2030.

13. Fostered Transparency and Citizen Engagement: Through initiatives like the OpenGovFinancial Portal and live-streaming town meetings, we built a culture of transparency that put the people of Purcellville first. Unlike Mayor Milan, and Council Members Caleb Stought and Kevin Wright, we conducted committee interviews in public—not private meetings.

14. Record-Breaking Cash Reserves: We grew the town’s cash reserves to unprecedented levels, securing optimal interest rates for the future.

15. Welcomed Business Growth:Numerous businesses, including Chipotle, Chick-Fil-A, Petite Loulou, Mod’s Pizza, Purcellville Pub, Giant, Catoctin Creek Distillery, Southern States, and McDonald’s, opened or expanded under our administration—98 new businesses in 2021 and 83 in 2022.

16. Laid the Groundwork for FIOS Expansion: We led discussions with Verizon management to position Purcellville for future FIOS expansion, paving the way for better internet service for all residents. The contracts are now in the process of being signed and FIOS will now be coming to town.

17. Secured a Natural Gas Study: We championed and obtained a study from Washington Gas to explore the potential for extending natural gas service to Purcellville.

18. Doubled Meals Tax Revenue Without Raising Taxes: By boosting local business activity, we doubled meals tax revenue, all while keeping taxes stable.

19. Completed Major Infrastructure Projects: From the 21^st Street, road and utility construction to multiple road and sidewalk upgrades, we ensured the town’s infrastructure was beyond par.

20. Secured Millions in Federal Funding: Through lobbying efforts, we secured $10.5 million in American Rescue Plan Act funds, allocating $8 million to vital water and sewer infrastructure improvements.

21. Built Recurring Revenue Streams: We established new revenue sources from fiber optics in town rights-of-way and cell tower leases, ensuring consistent financial support for years to come.

22. Commissioned the Train Station Kiosk: Collaborating with the Makerspace and town committees, we built a kiosk at the Train Station to promote our businesses and provide visitors with a rich history lesson on Purcellville.

23. Empowered Entrepreneurship: From Discover Purcellville’s painted benches to town-wide tag sales, we encouraged the entrepreneurial spirit, making Purcellville a vibrant place for creativity and business.

24. Debt Management: We effectively managed and reduced the town’s debt, setting clear paths for paying off obligations without burdening taxpayers. This led to upgrading the town’s Fitch rating from AA+ to AAA rating spurred by Fitch’s updated rating process.

The list goes on. Our administration’s achievements were made possible by a dedicated community working together for the common good. Mayor Milan’s and his running mates’ attempt to belittle these efforts is not only misleading but deeply troubling. His claim that we achieved nothing in eight years calls into question his judgment and capacity to lead this town effectively.

His support for annexations that will fundamentally transform our town into an urban metropolis and erase our status as “Loudoun’s rural destination” combined with his support for more than doubling residential bi-monthly water and sewer bills within five years, threatens to wreck household economies and destroy our hard-earned quality of life.

The truth is clear, and the people of Purcellville know better. Please join me in supporting “Team Mayberry” – Team Purcellville – Chris Bertaut for Mayor and, for Town Council, Ben Nett, Brian Green, Susan Khalil, and Jon Arnburg.