BGS presents FY2026 budget; highlights Montpelier flood recovery, fleet and postal concerns

Commissioner Wanda Manoli, Commissioner of Buildings and General Services, presented the agencybudget request for fiscal year 2026 to the Vermont House Appropriations Committee on Feb. 14, outlining modest increases across most divisions and a multiyear focus on flood recovery work in Montpelier.

Manoli said BGS has 334 full-time equivalent positions and 31 current vacancies, and that the governorrecommended budget reflects step increases, cost-of-living adjustments, insurance and retirement costs rather than new programs. "Buildings and general services provides facilities and general services statewide to all agencies and departments," she said, calling customer service and internal communication priorities.

The presentation grouped line items by division. Manoli cited design and construction (budget noted in the hearing as $4,800,000), purchasing and contracting (about $3,100,000), information centers (about $5,600,000), postal services (roughly $1,000,000), the print shop (about $1,100,000), fleet management (about $1,200,000) and surplus property (about $545,000). She said the largest general-fund increase (approximately 4 percent) funds engineering and architectural staff. Manoli also described a 9.4 percent increase in interdepartmental transfer funds for shared services such as…