Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Policy Planning topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
AOT policy and planning budget emphasizes mapping, research and regional grants
Summary
David Palatier presented the policy, planning and research portion of AOT's FY27 budget, noting the program is majority federally funded, supports MPO and RPC pass‑throughs, funds an active research program and maintains mapping and outreach staff despite modest staffing reductions.
David Palatier, of the Agency of Transportation’s policy department, briefed the committee on the policy, planning and research portion of the FY27 budget, which is primarily financed with federal funds and includes pass‑throughs to metropolitan planning organizations and regional planning commissions.
Palatier said a small federally required planning set‑aside under the Surface Transportation Act funds the bulk of policy and planning work, with pass‑throughs for the Chittenden County MPO and annual Transportation Planning Initiative (TPI) grants to regional planning commissions. He noted that roughly half of the planning funds are grants and pass‑throughs, with personnel and mapping support forming the remainder.
The research program, managed by Emily Parkaney, receives a portion of planning and research funds and runs an annual symposium covering topics such as pavement materials, smart growth, and electric‑vehicle uptake. Palatier said the mapping group underpins much of AOT’s accounting, reporting and planning work, including mileage tracking used for funding apportionments.
Staffing and operations: Palatier said about 21 employees work in the policy and planning area (plus a few partially funded positions) and that this year’s budget reflects some modest position eliminations tied to retirements. He highlighted that mapping received a small increase for equipment (a new large‑format plotter) and that the agency’s communications function is currently a one‑person office (Amy Tacco).
Palatier offered to provide the committee with the specific tab/page for the policy and planning budget and to share dates for the research symposium so members and the public can attend.
