Purcellville Town Profile

How Purcellville's Government Works

Council-manager form of government — the elected mayor and council set policy; the appointed Town Manager runs daily operations.

Purcellville, Virginia operates under a council-manager form of government — one of the two primary structures used by Virginia's incorporated municipalities. Understanding how this structure works is essential context for understanding both the eight years Kwasi Fraser spent as Mayor (2014–2022) and the role he assumed as Interim Town Manager on January 8, 2025. The two positions he has held are structurally different in every meaningful way: one elected and part-time, one appointed and full-time.

The Town Council

The Town Council is Purcellville's governing body — the elected legislative authority responsible for setting policy, adopting the annual budget, enacting local ordinances, and determining the strategic direction of the municipality. The council's specific authorities include: adopting operating and capital budgets; setting the real estate tax rate; authorizing debt issuance; approving land use decisions; and appointing and overseeing the Town Manager.

The Mayor

The Mayor is elected separately from council members in biennial elections — a part-time elected position. The mayor's formal powers are primarily procedural and representational: presiding over council meetings, setting the legislative agenda in partnership with colleagues, serving as the town's ceremonial head and public representative. What the mayor explicitly does not do: manage daily town operations or direct department staff. That is the Town Manager's job.

The Town Manager

The Town Manager is Purcellville's full-time appointed Chief Administrative Officer — hired by the Town Council, accountable to the council, and responsible for everything that keeps the municipality functioning day to day.

All DepartmentsEvery department head reports to the Town Manager. The manager is accountable for all department performance.
Budget ExecutionThe manager implements the budget the council adopts, authorizing expenditures and monitoring revenue.
Policy ImplementationWhen the council adopts a policy, the manager executes it through the administrative apparatus of town government.
Emergency ManagementIn any emergency, the manager is the operational decision-maker for the town's response.
Human ResourcesThe manager oversees municipal hiring, organizational structure, and personnel management.

The Charter as Governing Document

The Purcellville Town Charter is the foundational legal document that defines the structure and authorities of town government. It is adopted by the Virginia General Assembly and can only be amended through the legislative process. When Fraser transitioned from Mayor to Interim Town Manager in January 2025, both roles were defined by the same charter — but the nature of the authority, the scope of the responsibility, and the structure of accountability were entirely different.

Key Facts at a Glance

  • Government form: council-manager
  • Town Council: elected governing body; sets policy, adopts budget, appoints Town Manager
  • Mayor: part-time, elected separately; presides over council; public representative
  • Town Manager: full-time, appointed by council; manages all departments and daily operations
  • Governing document: Purcellville Town Charter (adopted by Virginia General Assembly)
  • Fraser as Mayor: July 2014 – December 2022 (elected, part-time)
  • Fraser as Interim Town Manager: January 8, 2025 – present (appointed, full-time)
Mayor vs. Town Manager (Detailed) →Town Manager Role →Fraser's Mayoral Record →Purcellville Overview →