City Council

4 7 southburlington VERMONT MINUTES STEERING COMMITTEE Joint meeting of the School Board and City Council) 3 MARCH 2025 The South Burlington Steering Committee ( Joint meeting of the City Council and School Board) held a special meeting and Public Hearing on Monday, 3 March 2025, at 6: 30 p. m., in the Auditorium, 180 Market Street, and by Zoom. MEMBERS PRESENT: T. Barritt, Chair; E. Fitzgerald, L. Smith; C. Tillinghast, T. Warren; C. Trombly; K. Van Gilder ALSO PRESENT: J. Baker, City Manager; Superintendent of Schools V. Nichols; Chief S. Locke, Deputy City Manager; Chief S. Burke, Deputy Chief S. Briscoe, Police Department; P. Conner, Director of Planning & Zoning; Deputy Fire Chief C. Corbin; I. Blanchard, Community Development Director; M. Sousa, HR Manager; A. Brumbaugh, Communications and Outreach Coordinator; A. Matth, Recreation and Parks Director; B. Miguez, Climate Action Manager; J. Murray, City Librarian; T. DiPietro Public Works Manager; A. Dabroski, Data Manager; State Representatives B. Burkhardt, B. Minier, K. Nugent, and E. Krasnow; C. Parker, J. Carpenter, C. Lamont, D. Wilder, M. Donahue, G. Silverstein, other members of the public 1. Pledge of Allegiance: The Pledge of Allegiance was recited. 2. Instructions on exiting building in case of emergency and review of technology option: Ms. Baker provided instructions on emergency exit from the building and reviewed technology options. PAGE 1  3. Call to Order the Steering Committee Meeting, Public Information Session, and Public Hearing in advance of Town Meeting Day The meeting was called to order. 4. Additions, deletions or changes in the order of Agenda items: No changes were made to the Agenda. 5. Comments and questions from the public not related to the agenda: Mr. Barritt made a statement deploring the events of the past week in the White House. 6. Steering Committee Minutes of 22 February 2025: Mr. Smith moved to approve the Steering Committee Minutes of 22 February 2025 as written. Mr. Warren seconded. Motion passed with all present voting in favor. 7. Public Hearing on School District FY26 Budget: Supt. Nichols thanked all of those who responded to the recent She cited survey. the difficulties in dealing with school budgets since the changes in the educational funding methodology. In preparing the budget, the School Board began by looking at data including Act 173, needed required equity support ( Supt. Nichols noted receipt of grants for multi- lingual supports), Act 139 ( the School District is pioneering a literacy program which is showing significant at the gains elementary level), and quality standards aligning with Board policies. Supt. Nichols showed a pie chart of expenditures that 75% of expenditures noting are for salaries and benefits including a 12% increase in health care costs. The proposed budget includes funding for 2 additional bus drivers, maintenance of structured literacy programs, math and literacy specialists, preserving visual and performing arts and music, preserving essential nursing supports, adding funding for future facilities projects ( particularly needs at the Middle and High Schools which have some of the major in the State), needs increasing special ed CITY COUNCIL 3 MARCH 2025 PAGE 2  supports, multi- lingual supports, maintaining pre- K program entitlement, and maintaining the Middle School house structure. Supt. Nichols then showed a chart reviewing staff ( FTE) reductions from past years. She noted they have now exhausted the " small savings." Supt. Nichols thanked the community' s Legislators for working to address funding issues. She showed a chart of district costs for FY26 health insurance and noted that the School District must participate in the State health insurance program. The proposed total budget for FY26 is $ 71, 507, 854. This results in a tax rate increase of 7. 93%. The additional yearly cost to the average condo owner will be 344. 00 and to average single family home owner $ 509. 00. About 51% of residents qualify for the State tax credit. Supt. Nichols showed a chart of historical Tax Rates and CLA and explained that the CLA is now at 74. 45% which has an impact on the tax rate. Supt. Nichols said the proposed budget adheres to regulatory and legislative requirements and supports students' needs. Public comments were then heard as follows: Ms. Carpenter spoke in support of Act 76 ( child care) and said progress is being made but people are still struggling. Ms. Niesen noted that with regard to test scores, 71% of South Burlington students reach the proficiency level in language arts, 63% in math and 52% in Science. She also noted that in America, fewer than half the students are reading at grade level. She did not feel that test scores are everything and said that people should not feel demonized for asking tough questions. Mr. Silverstein said that for education to be successful you need students who come prepared to learn as well a teachers skilled in pedagogy. He felt the FTE reduction chart was misleading and noted the FY23 increase of 39. 19 FTEs which in effect makes the reduction from FY21 to FY26 zero. Supt. Nichols noted that in FY23 they had to add staffing to meet basic health requirements because of COVID ( issues such as spacing of students, etc.). She noted that South Burlington test scores are higher than both the State and National averages. She also noted that South Burlington' s figures include all staffing ( e. g., food services, bus drivers, CITY COUNCIL 3 MARCH 2025 PAGE 3 etc.) in the FTEs while other districts contract out for these services so those numbers are not included in the FTEs. Rep. Burkhardt: South Burlington had a worse time with the funding changes. 55% of the increases are attributable to special ed funding, the ramping down of federal funds to address COVID, and health care costs which are out of the control of the School District. Mr. Parker: Every year taxes go up. What will happen now with tariffs, etc.? Mr. Smith said he has heard a lot of complaints, and he understands the concerns. Whether this budget passes or not will not address those things. What it will affect is children' s education. He hoped the budget passes. 8. Public Hearing on FY26 City Budget: Ms. Baker introduced and thanked the City' s Leadership Team. The proposed FY26 City Budget is $ 55, 870, 081 of which $ 22, 000, 000 is to be raised by property taxes. Ms. Baker then reviewed previous investments including: a. Second ambulance b. Updated Public Safety Dispatch Center c. On- line permitting system d. Modern finance system e. Housing Trust Fund f. Hiring of a Data Manager and Climate Action Manager g. New website The proposed budget focuses on community affordability and provides for: a. Current level of services delivery b. Maximizes non- property tax revenues c. Continues investment in public safety d. Invests in Community Outreach Team e. Invests in the Community Justice Center f. Increases funding for road striping and sidewalks g. Supports City Center vibrancy h. Opens the Library on Sundays i. Funds the South Burlington City Center Collaborative CITY COUNCIL 3 MARCH 2025 PAGE 4  j. Continues the commitment to address climate change The proposed budget will result in a 3. 3% increase in the tax rate. This will cost the average condo owner an additional $ 56. 53 for the year, and the average single home owner $ 83. 59 for the year. The assumptions behind the proposed budget include: a. 1. 5% growth in the Grand List b. 20% growth in the TIF District c. Contractual COLA and step increases d. Workers Compensation increase of 23% e. Health Insurance negotiated to a 4% increase Ms. Baker noted that 75% of the budget relates to public works and public safety. The Capital Improvement Plan ( CIP) allocates money to be set aside for infrastructure improvement. It is updated each year. This year it will provide an additional $ 250, 000 for increased paving. The City' s three utilities ( water, sewer, stormwater) will all have increased rates this year for an average total of$ 67. 00 for the year. The City is adding 2 FTEs in this budget, a Wastewater Management person and a person in the Bartlett Bay Treatment Plan Public comment was then received as follows: Mr. Lamont asked if the city has considered a 401 K program instead of a pension plan. Ms. Baker said they did, and this is an option for employees. All of the collective bargaining contracts require pension plans. Mr. Lamont was concerned that pension plans are becoming problematic because of market concerns. Ms. Baker said the VMERS plan is well funded and does not provide health care at retirement. Mr. Wilder asked how often restriped. roads are He noted the tough environment in Vermont. Mr. DiPietro said this is done on an " as needed" basis. Recent budget have increase funding for restriping. There is $ 60, 000 proposed in the FY26 budget as opposed to $ 40, 000 in the FY25 budget. Mr. DiPietro also noted they have changed the paint that is used to something that lasts longer. CITY COUNCIL 3 MARCH 2025 PAGE 5  9. Other Business: Mr. Barritt urged citizens to vote tomorrow and to check the City Clerk' s page on the website if they are unsure of their polling place location. Two retiring School Board members were recognized for their service. As there was no further business to come before the Council Mr. Smith moved to adjourn. Ms. Fitzgerald seconded. Motion passed unanimously. The meeting was adjourned at 7: 45 p. m. L, L9, 3 „ a (A) )& 1131: O\ i _ School Clerk City Council Clerk CITY COUNCIL 3 MARCH 2025 PAGE 6