Council Member and former Mayor Todd Purcell resigns Place 3

During a regular meeting of the City of Dripping Springs City Council on February 9, the city unanimously approved the resignation letter of Council Member and former Mayor Todd Purcell from Place 3. Purcell has served in the Place 3 position since last May when he turned over the mayoral reins to Mayor Bill Foulds, Jr. Purcell had spent 19 years as Dripping Springs' mayor, but decided not to seek re-election in 2020. He was then assigned by the Council to Place 3, which was vacated by Foulds, where he served the past several months in order to assist the City's response to the Covid-19 pandemic. In his resignation letter

In his resignation letter read aloud by Mayor Foulds during the council meeting, Purcell wrote, Dear Mayor Foulds, It's with a heavy heart that I submit my resignation. The last nine months on the City of Dripping Springs City Council has been wonderful, and I was glad to help where I could. However, after 25 years in public service it is time for me to truly retire from the Council. My last meeting on the City Council will be February 9, 2021. I would be happy to help in any way with the transition of my duties to my successor. Sincerely, Todd Purcell.

After the letter was read aloud, Purcell removed his City of Dripping Springs ball cap, and replaced it with his "ranch hat," as he called it. He then shared his screen and played a video for the council, which showed his excitement to be fully retired. Dressed in a cowboy hat, cowboy boots and a holster, Purcell and a friend danced to Blanco Brown's song, "The Git Up." Laughter, pleasantries and well wishes were exchanged before the motion to approve the resignation was passed.

Mayor Foulds then had this to say. "Todd, it's been a privilege of mine to serve with you for over 20 years, and I certainly appreciate everything. I know you're staying on at DSRP (Dripping Springs Ranch Park), and I know you're a phone call away from all of us or any of us at any given time. We sincerely thank you for your service, and we'll be calling on you in the near future."

The term for Place 3 ends in May. The City has a few options in filling the vacancy. It can temporarily assign someone to the position, hold a special session to fill the seat or wait until the outcome of the May 1 general election. At the time of press, the City had received two applications for Place 3 from Charlie Busbey and Geoffrey Tahuahua.