CCRPC approves FY25 midyear UPWP and budget adjustment; opens FY26 public forum

The Chittenden County Regional Planning Commission on Jan. 15 approved a midyear adjustment to its FY2025 Unified Planning Work Program (UPWP) and associated budget and held a public forum on the FY2026 UPWP.

The commission voted to adopt the midyear UPWP and the budget adjustment in two procedural actions — one covering MPO business and one covering RPC business — after staff reviewed program additions, deletions and revenue updates. The body then opened a public forum for the FY2026 UPWP and closed it without receiving additional public testimony beyond earlier comments.

The midyear update reflects newly added and removed tasks across land use, transportation and natural resources. Charlie (CCRPC staff member) described color-coding in the work program to show items deleted, added and revised; he said bright yellow rows identify projects that are 100% federally funded under recent USDOT guidance for safety/complete-streets projects. Staff reported an operating budget near $3.5 million and noted the amount that could potentially pass through the commission to partners is roughly $7 million, though staff cautioned that level is optimistic.

Budget highlights presented in the meeting included a roughly $95,000 increase in regional planning revenue since adoption in May; an approximate $80,000 increase in consultant funds to cover added transportation tasks; modifications to staff funding related to parental leaves (described as a "baby boom" in the office); and a planned hire in the business office. Charlie told the board the commission will add a new business-office staff member, Kim Smith, who starts Jan. 27.

Staff also reported a higher indirect cost rate filed with VTrans and cash balances consisting of about $560,000 in the commission checking account and a money-market reserve just over $500,000. Charlie said the reserve is intended to cover operating costs and protect member municipalities in case of disruptive events.

The motion to approve the midyear UPWP and budget adjustment was made by Board member Jeff (mover) and seconded by Andy (second). The board voted aye with no objections recorded during the roll call on the motion for both MPO and RPC actions.

The commission opened a public forum on the FY2026 UPWP, heard brief comments from staff and invited the public to submit input; no substantive new items were added during the public comment window, and the forum was closed by motion from Jeff and seconded by Christine.

Why it matters: midyear UPWP and budget adjustments set work priorities and authorize staff to manage contracts and grants during the fiscal year. The commission’s midyear changes added federally funded safety projects and new municipal and non-transportation tasks while reflecting the organization’s current staffing and cash positions.

The commission will continue to refine the FY2026 UPWP at upcoming UPWP committee meetings, including a scheduled committee meeting Jan. 27, and will circulate details to member municipalities.