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Council hears FY27 budget assumptions and public priorities; staff flags tax‑rate pressure and utility drivers
Summary
Finance staff presented FY27 baseline projections that rely heavily on property taxes and noted drivers such as public safety and utility bond debt; the public urged continued paving funding and questioned affordability impacts on seniors and middle‑income residents.
City finance staff presented an overview of FY27 budget assumptions and invited public priorities during a listening session on Oct. 6.
Deputy Finance Director Rich Donahue framed the budget around three major components: the capital improvement plan (10‑year rolling), the general fund operating budget and enterprise funds for utilities. Finance Director Martha Machar described key assumptions used in the baseline projection presented to council, including level‑funding many operations, assumed health‑care cost increases and inclusion of the FY27 CIP. Staff said roughly three‑quarters of general‑fund revenue comes from property taxes and local option taxes; under baseline assumptions staff estimated a property‑tax revenue gap that would require the tax rate equivalent of several percentage points depending on grand‑list growth scenarios.
Members of the public urged differing priorities. Ron Grunefeld, speaking for the South Burlington Business Association, asked that the city continue investing in paving and consider funding an economic development manager. Resident Jerry Silverstein raised affordability concerns for seniors and middle‑class households and warned against adding new penalties or fees that would increase housing costs. Multiple speakers asked staff to consider fee updates and other non‑property‑tax revenue options to mitigate tax‑rate pressure.
Staff said the community survey for the listening session remains open and staff will provide a full report when closed. No budget votes were taken; council framed the session as informational for shaping the FY27 proposal.
