South Burlington council approves FY26 budget, capital plan, ARPA climate funding and utility rate increases; sends budget to voters

The South Burlington City Council on Jan. 13 approved the city’s proposed FY26 general fund budget, the FY26–35 capital improvement plan and several supporting resolutions — including use of ARPA‑inspired one‑time funds for climate work and new utility rates — and voted to send the budget to voters at Town Meeting Day on March 4, 2025.

City Manager Jesse Baker and Finance Director Martha Machar presented the plan before the council took unanimous votes to approve: Resolution 2025‑1 to use ARPA‑inspired fund balance for climate CIP projects; Resolution 2025‑2 adopting the FY26–35 capital improvement plan; Resolution 2025‑3 approving the FY26 city budget and enterprise funds for submittal to voters; the Town Meeting Day warning and a March 3 public information hearing; and Resolution 2025‑4 setting FY26 water, wastewater and stormwater rates and allocation fees.

The package is a level‑services budget intended to preserve current service levels while limiting property tax impacts. The administration estimated a 3.33% increase in the estimated property tax…