CCRPC Executive Committee recommends 2.5% municipal dues increase for FY25

The Chittenden County Regional Planning Commission Executive Committee on Oct. 4 recommended that the board approve a 2.5% overall increase in municipal dues for fiscal year 2025.

Forest Cohen, CCRPC senior business manager, explained that municipal dues are primarily used to match federal transportation dollars for municipal and regional projects and that allocations are based on the State’s Equalized Education Grand List (EEGL). Cohen noted the State and Local Government Employee Compensation Index published by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics increased 4.9% between June 2022 and June 2023 and that the RPC’s costs have outpaced that figure in the last 12 months. Staff recommended a 2.5% increase for FY25 to share rising costs with member towns while acknowledging additional state funds have helped offset some pressure.

Committee members debated the percentage. Charlie Baker, executive director, said the MPO budget rose 30–40% after the Infrastructure Bill and that CCRPC used about $100,000 of state funding this year to match MPO obligations. He said a higher increase "anywhere up to 4.9%" would work but favored splitting the difference. Chair Chris Shaw and Past Chair Catherine McMains said 3% would be reasonable; Michael Bissonette preferred 2.5% but agreed to 3% as acceptable. Jacki Murphy emphasized the pressure on towns. After discussion, Michael Bissonette moved, and Jacki Murphy seconded, a motion to recommend a 2.5% increase; the motion carried unanimously.

The motion was recorded as a recommendation to the full board; the minutes do not record individual vote tallies. The committee noted staff will revisit dues next year and expects pressures to ease as inflation lowers.