The South Burlington City Council voted 4–1 on Sept. 2 to adopt a new stipend policy offering $50 per meeting to volunteers who serve on city boards and committees and to earmark up to $67,000 of annual general funds to support the program. The council set an October 1 start date to allow staff time to collect required documentation.

City Manager Jesse Baker introduced the policy at the meeting, saying, "This is specifically, contemplating, making available a $50 stipend to volunteers who serve on boards or committees with the city, not counselors or staff." The council debated whether the stipend form should require an explicit decline option. Council members who favored an opt-in process argued that requiring people to actively request payment would limit unneeded disbursements; others said providing both "yes" and "no" options avoids lost forms and is more equitable for people who prefer to opt out.

The council settled on an opt-in approach as amended from the draft form and adopted the policy. Councilor Andrew (first-name-only in transcript) moved to adopt the policy "as proposed and the stipend option form as amended, as discussed, and as reflected in the email that I sent to counselors," and the motion carried 4–1 (one councilor voted no). The council also unanimously approved a separate motion to earmark up to $67,000 in annualized general funds for stipends.

Public commenters supported an opt-in requirement. "A lot of people are gonna say their time is valuable, so they're gonna wanna get the money," said Ashley Rooks during public comment, urging a manual opt-in so funds go to people who need them.

The council clarified administrative details: recipients must submit tax paperwork (W-9) and staff will create sign‑in and audit trails so committee membership and payments can be tracked without exposing recipients’ private decisions to committees. Council members asked staff to reassess take-up and budget impact after a pilot period; the city will return any unspent funds to fund balance. Implementation steps will include sending appointment emails with the opt-in form and collecting W-9s; the policy excludes city council members and paid staff and does not change existing council member stipends or liaison payments.

The council directed staff to begin implementation and begin collecting documentation in September so payments can start Oct. 1.