Burlington Fiscal Year 2023 Budget Passes City Council Unanimously

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On June 27, 2022, the City Council unanimously approved Mayor Weinberger’s $96 million City Budget for fiscal year 2023. This budget included a 3 year plan for building a more robust police department, increasing public safety, adjusting property tax rates, and critical public infrastructure. 

Here are the key details:

  • 3 Year Plan to Rebuild Police Department
    • $1.2 million in funding to retain current police force and incentivize new recruits
      • Competitive contracts, signing bonuses, and stipends to live in Burlington, furthering education, and childcare
    • Number of BPD Community Service officers will increase from 10 to 12
    • Number of Community Service Liaisons will increase from 3 to 6
    • Reserves $400,000 for a Crisis Response Team Program that is inspired by the CAHOOTs program in Eugene, Oregon
  • Plan to Rebuild Infrastructure
    • $1.5 million in bike and pedestrian improvements
    • $1.6 million for rebuilding 3 miles of sidewalks and to complete a citywide sidewalk condition assessment for DPW to update targets moving forward
    • $1.1 million to develop a shared use path on Intervale Road
  • Changes in Property Tax Rates
    • Municipal taxes will increase from $0.6700 (FY22) to $0.7082 (FY23)
    • Estimated Homestead Education Tax will decrease from $1.4553 (FY22) to $1.3891 (FY23)
    • Estimated Commercial Education Tax will decrease from $1.5306 (FY22) to $1.4660 (FY23)
  • Net Zero Plan and Climate Initiatives
    • Continuation of administration’s commitment to invest toward their Net Zero Energy City goals and to fight the climate emergency
    • Largely funded by Burlington Electric Department revenues, federal grants, and Net Zero Energy Revenue Bond; this funding includes:
      • $2 million for customer strategic electrification incentives and programs (rebates for heat pumps e-bikes, e-mowers, and home charging stations)
      • $1.5 million for energy efficiency incentives and programs, adding EV charging infrastructure and continuing to replace city fleet with electric and hybrid vehicles

The Mayor’s Press Release on the passing of the budget can be found here. The full FY23 City Budget can be found here.