Criminal Justice Council seeks modest FY27 increase, flags translation and hearing costs

The Vermont Criminal Justice Council asked the Appropriations Committee on Feb. 26 to approve a modest FY2027 increase to keep core training and oversight operations running, while flagging new costs for translating policies, sustaining a wellness program and funding hearings that will rise under a recent statutory change.

Christopher Burchell, executive director of the Vermont Criminal Justice Council, said the council’s FY27 request includes a $71,443 general-fund increase (about 1.68%) and a $43,527 (about 11.11%) increase in interdepartmental transfer (IDT) funds that support highway-safety and training programs. The council’s total operating request, Burchell said, is roughly $4.33 million and was balanced to meet the governor’s 3% guideline using vacancy savings.

The request covers core training costs and staff: Burchell said about 51% of the budget is for salaries and benefits, 26% for space, and smaller shares for IT, contracts and supplies. He said academy tuition runs about $6,700 per recruit, the council provided 27,544 meals to recruits last year, and it delivers roughly 705 hours of level-3 certification training; statewide, the council reported 1,070 level-3 certified officers and 456 level-2 officers.

Burchell told the committee the council processed 74 unprofessional-conduct cases in the past year and held one hearing so far this year; most matters were resolved through stipulated agreements. He said the council meets more often than the statutory quarterly requirement—about 101 meetings in the past year including subcommittees and off-site trainings.

Language access and translation costs were a focal point. The council originally requested a one-time $30,000 appropriation to translate its Fair and Impartial Policing policy into 13 languages and to produce an ASL video. Burchell cautioned that further review showed translation of a single policy could be “closer to $50,000,” and he said the council had been directed by Appropriations to consult the Office of Racial Equity (ORE) about available resources; Burchell said conversations with ORE indicate ORE may be able to manage at least some of the translation need for the council’s use-of-force policy.

On curriculum work, Burchell said the council’s $300,000 request to complete a curriculum review was included in the state’s budget adjustment act. The council also described planned new curricula—an identity-based responsive curriculum and a proposed specialized de-escalation curriculum—estimated at roughly $250,000 to develop, pending final grant and state approvals.

Burchell described a wellness program the council ran under an O2X contract that previously cost about $200,000 over two years. The council covered half that cost this past year and said an outside grant helped cover the remainder; Burchell said the program reduces injury and workers’ compensation claims but that sustaining the service may be a future budget pressure.

Burchell also warned the committee that an unprofessional-conduct statute change in January 2025 expanded the council’s oversight role and will increase hearing frequency and cost. "Everything is transparent. It's all public information," he said, and added that hearings are labor-intensive and may require budget for hearing officers, witness fees and per diem for volunteer council members.

Committee members pressed for detail on vacancy savings and carry-forward funds. Jason from the AOA Financial Services division explained the FY27 vacancy-savings assumption is zero because positions are anticipated to be filled. Burchell and Lindsay Diverge, the council’s director of administration, said a large carry-forward balance (roughly 50% of an almost $700,000 figure discussed) resulted from administrative transition, personnel change and state hiring delays that slowed use of appropriated funds.

Lindsay explained a jump in officers out of compliance on annual training reports—from 24 in 2024 to 114 in 2025—was largely a reporting timing effect tied to leaves (military, medical, administrative) and that the council works to return officers to compliance when they resume work.

The presentation closed with committee thanks and no formal vote recorded during the session. Burchell asked for committee consideration of funding for translation, curriculum work, the wellness program and hearing-related expenses tied to the statute change.

The Appropriations Committee hearing is expected to continue work on agency budget requests as part of the committee’s regular review process.