Officials tell committee Chittenden County priority docket cleared cases but needs funding to be sustainable

The House constituent committee also heard about a Chittenden County priority docket pilot intended to clear multiple pending dockets and connect defendants to services. Matt Valerio (self‑identified in testimony) described how concentrated court calendars, an extra judge and a contracted connector expedited case resolution and referrals to treatment and housing.

Valerio said the pilot moved many cases through disposition — dismissals, trials and competency determinations — because court and legal resources were dedicated to the priority docket. He credited a local contractor, Therapeutic Works, with helping defendants complete screenings, access treatment and arrange transportation. “I swear to god, I got $200,000 worth of benefit out of $47,500 worth of money,” Valerio said, summarizing the office’s calculation of returns from a short‑term contract for connector services.

But witnesses warned the pilot’s gains may not be sustainable without continued investment. Valerio described a shortage of conflict‑contract lawyers and said many contractors work part‑time and were not paid extra for the heavy court schedule; he said the priority docket could be run in a scaled way but would require designated funding for service connectors, AHS supports and consistent public‑defense coverage.

The pilot was also described as geographically specific: those volumes and services exist in Chittenden County and may not be replicable in smaller counties without similar caseload concentration. Committee members asked whether administration agencies would continue funding; Valerio said the model showed promise but that continued resources would need legislative or executive allocation.

The committee did not take action on the pilot; members thanked witnesses and noted follow‑up questions about sustainability and funding.