State Bills would destroy local governance in Purcellville

 By Valerie Cury

Two bills currently in the Virginia General Assembly could reshape governance in Purcellville, potentially restricting council votes, suspending officials facing charges, and mandating costly studies—raising questions about local autonomy, transparency, and the balance of power between state and town.

Purcellville Vice Mayor Ben Nett says he has been the target of a politically motivated campaign since announcing his candidacy for Town Council in 2024—a campaign he says has included false allegations, internal investigations, criminal charges, and coordinated efforts by political rivals to remove him from office.

Nett, a former Purcellville police officer, was terminated following an internal investigation but was later exonerated by the Town of Purcellville’s independent Grievance Panel. In June 2025, the Panel unanimously ordered his reinstatement with back pay and reimbursement of attorney fees, consistent with the relief granted in the Town’s Grievance Policy. As of publication, the town has not implemented the Panel’s decision, despite a 14-day compliance period outlined in the Grievance Panel policy.

Nett had also followed the advice of the Town Attorney and the Virginia Conflict of Interest and Ethics Advisory Council, recusing himself from council votes that could present potential conflicts related to his employment.

Now, two bills introduced during the 2026 session of the Virginia General Assembly—House Bill 505 and Senate Bill 648—have placed Nett and the Town of Purcellville at the center of a new political controversy. Nett describes the legislation as the latest escalation in what he calls a sustained effort to remove him from office following the 2024 election.

House Bill 505, sponsored by Del. John McAuliff (D-30), would prohibit members of a locality’s governing body from holding any other employment with that same locality. If enacted, the bill would declare a seat vacant if a council member begins or continues such employment after taking office and would bar that member from voting on matters related to former employment for one year.

Senate Bill 648, introduced by Sen. Russett Perry (D-31), applies only to towns in Planning District 8 with populations between 8,000 and 10,000—criteria that currently describe the Town of Purcellville.

The bill would require the automatic suspension of elected town officers charged with felony offenses pending resolution of those charges. During the suspension, a court may appoint “some suitable person” to act in the officer’s place, while the elected official’s compensation would be withheld unless the charges are resolved in the officer’s favor.

SB 648 would also require the town to procure a comprehensive study evaluating its debt, infrastructure, utilities, and other significant liability risks. The study must be conducted by a large public institution of higher education, in consultation with a chief administrative officer from a separate, much larger locality, and must include recommendations on fiscal priorities and potential amendments to the town’s charter. The study is required to be completed by July 1, 2027, and the town would then be required to adopt a remedial plan based on its findings.

The study could let elected officials quietly push developments and taxes residents oppose while shifting responsibility to its state-mandated recommendations. 

Purcellville currently retains Davenport & Company as its financial advisor and Stantec as its utility-rate consultant, firms that already advise the town on debt management, infrastructure planning, and utility operations.

In addition, SB 648 would restrict Town Council votes to items published at least three days in advance unless amended at the start of a meeting by a three-fourths vote of the full council, increasing the threshold for agenda changes from a simple majority. 

The bill would also grant any town resident standing to challenge council actions in court, require such cases to receive priority docket placement, and mandate reimbursement of attorney fees to prevailing residents.

The legislation is set to expire July 1, 2028, approximately one year after the next Purcellville town election.

“If you don’t think HB 505 is the ‘Ben Nett Bill,’ then tell me with a straight face that SB 648 isn’t the ‘Ben Nett Bill,’” Nett wrote in a public statement released Jan. 21 titled The Plot Thickens.

Nett said the targeting began after his successful 2024 campaign on reforming town operations, including the police department, opposing annexation for commercial and industrial development, lowering utility rates, and stabilizing property taxes.

According to Nett, Council Member Erin Rayner, now a candidate for mayor, played a central role in actions taken against him.

“Rayner was revealed to be the sole source of the abuse of sick leave allegations against me, upon which the phony Internal Affairs investigation into me, with its pre-determined outcome, was based,” Nett wrote.

Nett also claims Rayner provided information that led to his Brady/Giglio listing by Loudoun County Commonwealth’s Attorney Bob Anderson, which occurred two days before the expiration of his due-process rights.

“He took this action two days before the expiration of my due process rights for maximum political effect,” Nett wrote.

Nett further alleged Rayner was the source of claims that prompted a Virginia State Police investigation, which he said proceeded without investigators seeking to interview him.

Nett stated that the language of HB 505 was first circulated in 2025 by Rayner prior to its formal introduction in the General Assembly.

“The language for HB 505 was first circulated in 2025 by Councilmember Rayner,” Nett wrote.

 “Delegate McAuliff denies any influence from Rayner,” Nett wrote. “That denial doesn’t change the fact that the bill’s language was previously circulated by Rayner. Think what you will.”

Virginia law already provides for the removal of elected officials convicted of felony offenses. SB 648 would instead mandate suspension based solely on the existence of charges, regardless of outcome.

“But now, we’re going to remove elected officials charged with felonies?” Nett wrote. “Any felonies? Even those brought forth by political opponents for purely political reasons? And what happened to innocent until proven guilty?”

The legislation could significantly affect the composition of Purcellville’s seven-member Town Council and future votes on annexation, zoning, and taxes.

“These people have taken my job, my livelihood, destroyed my reputation, hurt my family, and are now threatening my very freedom,” Nett wrote.

He said the stakes extend beyond his own position.

“That’s what this entire drama is about—power and money,” Nett wrote. “If they get rid of me and flip the council, then annexations into the town are coming.”

Senate Bill 648 passed with bipartisan support at the end of January.