Council directs staff to develop opt‑in stipend policy for volunteer boards; manager to propose budget use

The South Burlington City Council on July 21 directed staff to develop a stipend policy for appointed boards and committees, using an opt‑in model and payment tied to meeting attendance. City Manager Jesse Baker reviewed examples from nearby jurisdictions and the Chittenden County regional practice. Councilors discussed equity goals — removing financial barriers that prevent residents from serving — versus administrative and budget concerns. Councilors agreed on several principles: stipends should be opt‑in (a volunteer must affirmatively request payment), payment should be made only for meetings actually attended, and staff should prepare a short form for volunteers to declare whether they want to receive the stipend. The council asked staff to start with a $50 per‑meeting stipend as a working figure and to prepare an implementation plan. Baker said staff will return with a proposed policy and administration form and asked for authority to budget up to $61,000 from the general‑fund unassigned fund balance for fiscal year 2026 to cover stipends if full participation occurs; staff noted the full amount is an upper bound and any unused funds would remain in fund balance. Councilors asked staff to consider parity with existing stipends for quasi‑judicial boards and to include simple attendance verification and reporting requirements. Public comment supported lowering barriers to participation; one speaker suggested income or household thresholds, while councilors rejected a complicated means test in favor of the simpler opt‑in approach with an administrative form. The council gave staff direction to return with a draft policy and the proposed budget authority.