VLCT urges Legislature to act on municipal tax relief, elections clarity and firearms ban in town buildings

Samantha Shannon, municipal policy and advocacy specialist for the Vermont League of Cities and Towns (VLCT), told the House Government Operations & Military Affairs Committee that VLCT will press for legislation this session to lower municipal property taxes, clarify election procedure for town officers and allow municipalities to ban firearms in municipal buildings with an opt-out provision.

In an overview to the committee, Shannon said VLCT represents all 247 Vermont municipalities and provides services ranging from legal guidance to an insurance pool and a new municipal operations support team funded by a U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development grant. "VLCT, the Vermont League of Cities and Towns is a nonprofit nonpartisan organization that represents and serves all 247 municipalities in Vermont," she said. She added that the new operations team is "funded by a $1,000,000 USDA RD grant" and assists towns with fiscal management, grant readiness and ARPA reporting.

The memo Shannon presented lists priorities VLCT expects to press in the 2025 legislative session. On…