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Purcellville council adopts equalized tax rate and several technical code changes, approves NFPA fire‑flow standard
Summary
Council approved an equalized 2025 real estate tax rate, moved several performance standards into the town code (noise and vibration), and adopted NFPA-based fire‑flow standards; council also changed EDAC composition to require a minimum of four town residents and tabled Main Street program action for further review.
Purcellville’s Town Council on March 25 took a series of fiscal and technical votes: staff recommended and council adopted the advertised budget assumptions and related code amendments, including a motion to use the equalized real estate tax rate, a transfer of noise and earth‑borne vibration standards to Chapter 34 of the Town Code, and a town‑specific fire‑flow standard that cites NFPA guidance.
Connie Lamar (finance) briefed the council on assessments and billing deadlines, saying, “Each penny on the tax rate is equivalent to $214,000 in revenue.” Lamar noted that assessments increased by about 6.85 percent and explained the county billing deadline required the council to adopt a rate before April 1.
Council member Khalil moved to adopt ordinance 25‑03‑07 establishing a real estate tax rate of 0.192 and a Fireman’s Field service district rate of 0.032 for calendar year 2025. After debate about budget tradeoffs and reserve usage, council members recorded votes and the motion carried.
On code changes, council adopted ordinance 25‑03‑06 directing staff to transfer performance standards (noise and earth‑borne vibration) to Chapter 34 of the Town Code; staff explained the move would allow the town to apply federal reference standards (EPA, FTA, OSHA) in enforcement. The motion passed with recorded affirmative votes.
Council also adopted ordinance 25‑03‑05 to codify town fire‑flow standards, citing NFPA 1 chapter 18.4 as the technical reference. The town attorney and staff described the change as clarifying town‑specific fire‑safety requirements for development and permitting; the ordinance passed unanimously on the floor. Council then approved an amendment to EDAC’s composition (ordinance 25‑03‑04) requiring a minimum of four town residents on the advisory committee.
Finally, after hearing substantial public comment and business‑owner testimony about Virginia Main Street participation, the council voted to table action on rescinding or reaffirming the town’s letter of support for the Virginia Main Street program until the second regular meeting in April so members could review program materials further.
Next steps: Staff will implement the adopted code changes and publish ordinance language; finance staff will proceed under the adopted tax rate and coordinate with Loudoun County for billing.
