Racial Equity office budgeted as permanent city function; empowerment grant to sunset
May 14, 2025 | Burlington City, Chittenden County, Vermont
This article was created by AI summarizing key points discussed. AI makes mistakes, so for full details and context, please refer to the video of the full meeting. Please report any errors so we can fix them. Report an error »
The city’s interim director for Racial Equity, Inclusion & Belonging (REIB), Christian Gerri, presented May 14 a FY26 proposal to make the office a permanent, general‑funded municipal function with programmatic work and expanded capacity.
Gerri said the proposed FY26 structure includes five full‑time equivalents: a permanent director, an administrative and financial coordinator and three program managers focused on community engagement, policy analysis and health equity. The office will also fold the Trusted Community Voices program and language‑access work into REIB, Gerri said, and the city will add a line for language access citywide.
Gerri described outcomes from a “vision and purpose” community engagement process held in 2024 (seven sessions across five wards, hybrid format and targeted surveys) that informed program priorities. He said the empowerment grant program — launched earlier with one‑time funds to provide low‑barrier grants to BIPOC residents, businesses, and organizations — will sunset after the next round of disbursements; the grant represented about $90,000 in one‑time funds. Gerri said converting the REIB to permanent funding (and moving the office off one‑time grants) will allow “systemic” work rather than “one‑off programming.”
Gerri also said recent unfilled leadership and staff positions produced about $250,000 in one‑time cost savings in FY25, and that the FY26 request modestly increases personnel and program delivery lines, including a $30,000 increase for community celebrations (Juneteenth and other events).
Why it matters: moving an equity office from one‑time grants to the general fund institutionalizes staffing and program continuity, while the end of the empowerment grant will reduce one source of discretionary community funds unless replaced.
What’s next: Gerri said the permanent director posting remains open through the end of May and the administration aims to have a permanent director in place by July 1; the REIB will continue community engagement and work with partners on program design and language access.
Gerri said the proposed FY26 structure includes five full‑time equivalents: a permanent director, an administrative and financial coordinator and three program managers focused on community engagement, policy analysis and health equity. The office will also fold the Trusted Community Voices program and language‑access work into REIB, Gerri said, and the city will add a line for language access citywide.
Gerri described outcomes from a “vision and purpose” community engagement process held in 2024 (seven sessions across five wards, hybrid format and targeted surveys) that informed program priorities. He said the empowerment grant program — launched earlier with one‑time funds to provide low‑barrier grants to BIPOC residents, businesses, and organizations — will sunset after the next round of disbursements; the grant represented about $90,000 in one‑time funds. Gerri said converting the REIB to permanent funding (and moving the office off one‑time grants) will allow “systemic” work rather than “one‑off programming.”
Gerri also said recent unfilled leadership and staff positions produced about $250,000 in one‑time cost savings in FY25, and that the FY26 request modestly increases personnel and program delivery lines, including a $30,000 increase for community celebrations (Juneteenth and other events).
Why it matters: moving an equity office from one‑time grants to the general fund institutionalizes staffing and program continuity, while the end of the empowerment grant will reduce one source of discretionary community funds unless replaced.
What’s next: Gerri said the permanent director posting remains open through the end of May and the administration aims to have a permanent director in place by July 1; the REIB will continue community engagement and work with partners on program design and language access.
Don't Miss a Word: See the Full Meeting!
Go beyond summaries. Unlock every video, transcript, and key insight with a Founder Membership.
✓
Get instant access to full meeting videos
✓
Search and clip any phrase from complete transcripts
✓
Receive AI-powered summaries & custom alerts
✓
Enjoy lifetime, unrestricted access to government data
30-day money-back guarantee
