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CCRPC warns May 20 public hearing on FY21 UPWP and budget as COVID-19 clouds revenues
Summary
The Chittenden County Regional Planning Commission’s Joint Executive & Finance Committee voted April 1 to warn a May 20 public hearing on the draft FY21 Unified Planning Work Program and budget; staff said the $5.6 million draft could change amid COVID-19, and members agreed to monitor finances closely.
The Chittenden County Regional Planning Commission’s Joint Executive & Finance Committee on April 1 voted to warn a public hearing on the draft FY21 Unified Planning Work Program (UPWP) and budget for the board’s May 20 meeting at 6 p.m. The warning motion carried unanimously.
Executive Director Charlie Baker presented the draft FY21 UPWP and budget, saying the draft included about $1.4 million in new consultant tasks and totaled roughly $5.6 million, split into approximately $2.3 million for staff costs and $3.3 million for consultants. "We will include a financial topic at every Executive Committee meeting and will continually monitor the situation," Baker said, characterizing the fiscal outlook as uncertain because of the public health emergency.
Baker outlined staff adjustments in the personnel line: the prior salary projection of 4.9% was reduced to 3.9%, reflecting a 3% base raise plus some promotions. To help stabilize annual fluctuations in overhead, staff said they will request an 83% indirect rate for FY21, a level the packet said should reduce prior 8–10% swings in the indirect rate.
Transportation program manager Eleni Churchill said all projects eligible for PL (federal MPO) funds remained in the draft, though some tasks were removed because they were not PL-eligible. Forest Cohen reviewed the fiscal materials and noted January and February had been positive months; if staff billing continues at the current pace, the organization could finish FY20 in the black.
Committee member Jeff Carr urged caution on contingency planning. "The government has never turned the economy off like this and we have entered an entirely new financial territory," Carr said, and suggested the commission explore any federal relief that could support payroll or rent. Charlie Baker and staff said they were monitoring potential state and federal assistance, flagged possible risks to ACCD-funded items, and committed to reporting updates at future Executive Committee meetings.
The committee approved warning the public hearing for May 20; the hearing will allow public comment on the draft FY21 UPWP and budget and any later revisions prompted by the evolving COVID-19 fiscal picture.
