South Burlington leaders prioritize hiring climate director, debate scope of city role in community climate action

South Burlington City officials debated how soon to expand the city's climate work beyond municipal operations, even as staff said the climate director job posting had attracted candidates and resume review would begin next week. At a Sept. retreat, staff described a two-track choice: continue improving internal city operations with existing staff, or hire a director now to lead outward-facing community programs — incentives, education, and possible ordinance changes affecting rental buildings and charging infrastructure.

The debate centered on what the position should prioritize first. Jesse Baker, city manager, and staff said some municipal measures tied to the Climate Action Plan (building efficiency, municipal fleet electrification, energy audits) can be advanced with current staff; more public-facing initiatives ' such as a large-scale weatherization campaign for rental units, a landlord-focused energy-audit requirement, and incentives for multifamily EV charging ' would be easier to pursue with a climate director in place.

"We categorized parts of the climate action plan as a '3' because municipal operations work can continue with existing staff; the outward-facing community work requires additional capacity," a staff presenter said. Council members who spoke urged haste: several argued that deferring community work risks missing grant opportunities and that a visible director would improve fundraising and program delivery.

Baker told the retreat the climate director posting is active and that resume review was scheduled to begin the following Monday. He said the city had received roughly 17'20 applications and planned to begin screening candidates immediately. Staff also reported they were recruiting a data manager to help with tracking emissions and program outcomes; that search was in second-round interviews.

Councilors pressed staff on the city's authority to require changes in privately owned buildings. Colin, the city attorney, said the city's building code and permitting authority provide some leverage ' for example by requiring efficiency measures when a building seeks a permit to replace a heating system ' but that some proposals (such as mandatory EV infrastructure for existing multifamily properties) may lack straightforward statutory backing and would need legal review or state-level changes.

Staff and several council members proposed staged actions the climate director could lead: require energy audits for rental properties and develop a grant/rebate package to make the recommended measures affordable; write incentive programs and pilot projects to increase multifamily EV charging; and coordinate grant-writing to bring outside funding into the city. Council members also said they wanted clear short-term metrics so the public could track progress against the Climate Action Plan.

The retreat did not produce a formal council vote. Staff said they would return to council with candidate recommendations, a draft work plan for the climate director, and proposed next steps for ordinances and incentive programs once the new hire is on board.