VTrans outlines municipal grant programs; Senate Transportation asks for performance data ahead of budget season

BURLINGTON, Vt. — At a Jan. 21 meeting of the Senate Transportation Committee, Joel Perrigo, municipal assistance program manager for the Vermont Agency of Transportation (VTrans), reviewed the agency's "Show Me the Money" guide and summarized the suite of municipal grant programs that support road maintenance, stormwater mitigation and bicycle-pedestrian projects.

Perrigo told senators the guide describes long-standing programs but acknowledged it is not updated every time program rules or funding change. "I do typically include [performance information] in budget testimony later on," Perrigo said, adding he would "take that note back" after committee members requested more program-level data before the agency delivers budget testimony.

The request for data followed questions from committee members about how well the programs are working and whether grant sizes keep pace with construction inflation. A committee member asked, "How do we know how we're doing? Have we seen a pickup in local programs?" and multiple senators pressed VTrans for application and award counts, project types funded, and whether award amounts have preserved purchasing power.

Why this matters: Senators said they want metrics on applicants, awards and project scope to inform budget deliberations. The committee asked for evidence that grants are producing compliance with the Municipal Roads General Permit (MRGP) and…