Purcellville council deadlocks on same-night adoption of personal property tax rates

A motion to suspend the rules and re-adopt Purcellville's 2026 personal property tax rates the same night failed on a 3–3 roll call during the town council meeting July 28.

Council Member Stout moved to suspend the rules to permit immediate action following a public hearing; the motion was seconded, but roll-call votes were split. Council Members Raynor, Wright and Stout voted yes; Council Members Khalil and Luke and the mayor voted no. Town Attorney Robert Spruill had briefed the council and recommended re-adoption of the previously approved rate in light of a recent attorney general opinion affecting municipal taxing authority.

Public commenter Erica Stout urged the council to “take the time in August to really think about it” and warned residents were being “put at risk” by acting quickly. The mayor said the item will remain on the agenda for the first meeting in September so council members can finalize positions during the August recess.

Because the council did not suspend the rules, formal re-adoption of ordinance 26-02-01 will not occur until a later meeting. The council indicated legal and staff briefings will be provided before the September vote.