City Council - Charter Change Committee — Burlington, VT
Date: 2025-11-10
Time: 18:00

Monday, November 10, 2025, 6:00 PM, Bushor Conference Room 1st Floor, City Hall
 OR REMOTELY via ZOOM

When: Nov 10, 2025 06:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
Topic: Charter Change Committee Meeting

Join from PC, Mac, iPad, or Android:
https://zoom.us/j/98149736185?pwd=xXlObfVMCGagcZ8n2WG2ET0eNiSnCa.1
Passcode:956888

Phone one-tap:
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Webinar ID: 981 4973 6185
Passcode: 956888
International numbers available: https://zoom.us/u/abMU72dL9U




1. Agenda
  1.1. Motion to amend/adopt agenda

2. Public Forum
  Subject 2.1. Verbal Comments
  Meeting November 10, 2025 - Charter Change Committee Meeting - Monday, November 10,
 2025, 6:00 PM, Bushor Conference Room 1st Floor, City Hall OR REMOTELY via ZOOM
  Category 2. Public Forum
  Department Council and Board


  Type
3. Adding the REIB Department to the Charter Discussion
  Subject 3.1. Adding the REIB Department to the Charter Discussion
  Meeting November 10, 2025 - Charter Change Committee Meeting - Monday, November 10,
 2025, 6:00 PM, Bushor Conference Room 1st Floor, City Hall OR REMOTELY via ZOOM


  Category 3. Adding the REIB Department to the Charter Discussion

  Department Council and Board


  Type

  Recommended Action

4. City Council Authority to Pledge Credit Charter Discussion
  Subject 4.1. City Council Authority to Pledge Credit Charter Discussion
  Meeting November 10, 2025 - Charter Change Committee Meeting - Monday, November 10,
 2025, 6:00 PM, Bushor Conference Room 1st Floor, City Hall OR REMOTELY via ZOOM


  Category 4. City Council Authority to Pledge Credit Charter Discussion

  Department Council and Board


  Type

  Recommended Action

5. General Fund Tax Fairness Discussion
  Subject 5.1. General Fund Tax Fairness Discussion
  Meeting November 10, 2025 - Charter Change Committee Meeting - Monday, November 10,
 2025, 6:00 PM, Bushor Conference Room 1st Floor, City Hall OR REMOTELY via ZOOM


  Category 5. General Fund Tax Fairness Discussion

  Department Council and Board


  Type

  Recommended Action

6. Any Other Committee Business
  Subject 6.1. Any Other Committee Business
  Meeting November 10, 2025 - Charter Change Committee Meeting - Monday, November 10,
 2025, 6:00 PM, Bushor Conference Room 1st Floor, City Hall OR REMOTELY via ZOOM


  Category 6. Any Other Committee Business

  Department Council and Board


  Type

  Recommended Action
7. Adjournment
 Subject 7.1. Motion to adjourn
 Meeting November 10, 2025 - Charter Change Committee Meeting - Monday, November 10,
 2025, 6:00 PM, Bushor Conference Room 1st Floor, City Hall OR REMOTELY via ZOOM


 Category 7. Adjournment

 Department Council and Board


 Type

 Recommended Action

Monday, November 10, 2025, 6:00 PM, Bushor Conference Room 1st Floor, City Hall
 OR REMOTELY via ZOOM

When: Nov 10, 2025 06:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
Topic: Charter Change Committee Meeting

Join from PC, Mac, iPad, or Android:
https://zoom.us/j/98149736185?pwd=xXlObfVMCGagcZ8n2WG2ET0eNiSnCa.1
Passcode:956888

Phone one-tap:
+19292056099,,98149736185#,,,,*956888# US (New York)
+13017158592,,98149736185#,,,,*956888# US (Washington DC)

Join via audio:
+1 929 205 6099 US (New York)
+1 301 715 8592 US (Washington DC)
+1 305 224 1968 US
+1 309 205 3325 US
+1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago)
+1 646 931 3860 US
+1 507 473 4847 US
+1 564 217 2000 US
+1 669 444 9171 US
+1 669 900 6833 US (San Jose)
+1 689 278 1000 US
+1 719 359 4580 US
+1 253 205 0468 US
+1 253 215 8782 US (Tacoma)
+1 346 248 7799 US (Houston)
+1 360 209 5623 US
+1 386 347 5053 US
Webinar ID: 981 4973 6185
Passcode: 956888
International numbers available: https://zoom.us/u/abMU72dL9U




1. Agenda
  1.1. Motion to amend/adopt agenda

2. Public Forum
  Subject 2.1. Verbal Comments
  Meeting November 10, 2025 - Charter Change Committee Meeting - Monday, November 10,
 2025, 6:00 PM, Bushor Conference Room 1st Floor, City Hall OR REMOTELY via ZOOM
  Category 2. Public Forum
  Department Council and Board


  Type




 Page 1 of 20
3. Adding the REIB Department to the Charter Discussion
  Subject 3.1. Adding the REIB Department to the Charter Discussion
  Meeting November 10, 2025 - Charter Change Committee Meeting - Monday, November 10,
 2025, 6:00 PM, Bushor Conference Room 1st Floor, City Hall OR REMOTELY via ZOOM


  Category 3. Adding the REIB Department to the Charter Discussion

  Department Council and Board


  Type

  Recommended Action

4. City Council Authority to Pledge Credit Charter Discussion
  Subject 4.1. City Council Authority to Pledge Credit Charter Discussion
  Meeting November 10, 2025 - Charter Change Committee Meeting - Monday, November 10,
 2025, 6:00 PM, Bushor Conference Room 1st Floor, City Hall OR REMOTELY via ZOOM


  Category 4. City Council Authority to Pledge Credit Charter Discussion

  Department Council and Board


  Type

  Recommended Action

5. General Fund Tax Fairness Discussion
  Subject 5.1. General Fund Tax Fairness Discussion
  Meeting November 10, 2025 - Charter Change Committee Meeting - Monday, November 10,
 2025, 6:00 PM, Bushor Conference Room 1st Floor, City Hall OR REMOTELY via ZOOM


  Category 5. General Fund Tax Fairness Discussion

  Department Council and Board


  Type

  Recommended Action

6. Any Other Committee Business
  Subject 6.1. Any Other Committee Business
  Meeting November 10, 2025 - Charter Change Committee Meeting - Monday, November 10,
 2025, 6:00 PM, Bushor Conference Room 1st Floor, City Hall OR REMOTELY via ZOOM


  Category 6. Any Other Committee Business

  Department Council and Board


  Type

  Recommended Action




 Page 2 of 20
7. Adjournment
 Subject 7.1. Motion to adjourn
 Meeting November 10, 2025 - Charter Change Committee Meeting - Monday, November 10,
 2025, 6:00 PM, Bushor Conference Room 1st Floor, City Hall OR REMOTELY via ZOOM


 Category 7. Adjournment

 Department Council and Board


 Type

 Recommended Action




 Page 3 of 20
Resolution Relating to

MARCH 3, 2026 ANNUAL CITY MEETING – CHARTER CHANGE RE:

ESTABLISHMENT OF THE OFFICE OF RACIAL EQUITY, INCLUSION, AND BELONGING


Sponsor(s): Charter Change Committee


Introduced:

Referred to:

Action:

Date:

Signed by Mayor:


CITY OF BURLINGTON
In the year Two Thousand Twenty-Five………………………………………………………………………


Resolved by the City Council of the City of Burlington, as follows:

1. WHEREAS, the City of Burlington is committed to advancing racial equity, inclusion, and
 belonging as foundational principles in municipal governance and community life; and
2. WHEREAS, the City recognizes the importance of establishing a permanent Office of
 Racial Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (“REIB”) to lead, coordinate, and advance this
 work across all departments; and
3. WHEREAS, the REIB Office plays a critical role in developing strategies, advising policy,
 and building inclusive community engagement processes that foster equity and
 belonging for all Burlington constituents; and
4. WHEREAS, the formal creation of this office within the City Charter will strengthen
 accountability, sustainability, and institutional commitment to this work;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the City Council approves the following
amendment to the City Charter and requests that the Mayor warn the following question
and place it on the ballot for the Annual City Meeting to be held on March 3, 2026, and that
the City Clerk set public hearings on this question in accordance with § 303 of the City
Charter and 17 V.S.A. § 2645:


“Shall the Charter of the City of Burlington, Acts of 1948, No. 298, as amended, be further
amended as follows?”:




 Page 4 of 20
§ 374 Enumerated:

Office of Racial Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging

• (a) The City of Burlington shall form an Office of Racial Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging
 (“REIB”) and establish a Director of Racial Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging.
• (b) The REIB Director role shall be a permanent position in the City, selected and hired
 in accordance with City of Burlington Human Resources policies and procedures, and
 shall report directly to the Mayor.
• (c) The REIB Office shall be under the supervision, direction, and control of the Director,
 subject to the orders and ordinances of the City Council.
• (d) The Office of Racial Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging administrative officer shall have
 all of the powers, duties, and responsibilities as are provided in the Racial Equity,
 Inclusion, and Belonging Director position description.
• (e) Subject to the orders and ordinances of the City Council, the Mayor and REIB
 Director shall develop and implement a comprehensive racial equity, inclusion, and
 belonging strategy for the City of Burlington.
• (f) In furtherance of this work, the REIB Director shall, subject to the orders and
 ordinances of the City Council, have the following rights, powers, and duties, and
 implement such alongside all City departments:

 • To work on behalf of the City to advance equity and social justice by championing
 diversity, inclusion, belonging, and anti-racism.
 • To develop, coordinate, implement, and administer racial equity and inclusion
 strategies and projects for the City.
 • To provide consultation and recommend to City departments, the Mayor’s Office,
 and City Council policy and program changes to better advance racial equity and
 inclusion in the City.
 • To enhance representation in City government through decision-making bodies,
 community engagement initiatives, and policy development processes for folks who
 hold underserved community identities.
 • To coordinate and facilitate constituent engagement in the City that encourages
 inclusive spaces for engagement with City government.




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Charter Change Committee
 Monday, November 10, 2025
 Remote via Zoom/In-Person in Sharon Bushor Conference Room, 1st Floor, City Hall,
 Burlington, Vermont
 DRAFT MINUTES

Members Present: Becca Brown McKnight (Chair), Gene Bergman, Evan Litwin

Staff Present: Jessica Brown (City Attorney), Jennifer Zakaras (Deputy Chief of Staff), Bradley
Kukenberger (Director of Finance)

Public Present: Nolan Rogers, Sharon Bushor, Melo Grant (Central District Councilor)

Meeting called to order at 6:03 PM by Councilor McKnight.

1. Adopt the Agenda
 1.01 Adopt the Agenda

Motion to Adopt Agenda as written.

Motion by Councilor Bergman, Seconded by Councilor Litwin
Final Resolution: Motion Passes
Yes: Unanimous

2. Public Forum
 2.01 Verbal Comments

Nolan Rogers of Ward 3 expressed being in support of a progressive property tax but is
concerned the proposed structure disincentivizes development and will work against
Burlington’s ability to increase housing density in the long term.

Sharon Bushor commented to follow up on the information she had requested at the last meeting
and expressed support for the homestead exemption but wonders what the impact will be to
commercial properties and non-homestead owners. Regarding the general tax rate increase,
Bushor requested clarification on what is included in the cap and asked the Committee to
consider how these changes will impact voters’ control in local government. Bushor also
commented on Item 4.01, noting concerns over the potential debt the City could take on if this
change goes through and is open to increasing the authority to pledge credit for the City but has
reservations about increasing the limits for Water Resources and BED.

Councilor Melo Grant encouraged the Committee to enforce a culture of civility in their public
forum.

Public forum closed at 6:19 PM.

3. Adding the REIB Department to the Charter Discussion
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 3.01 Adding the REIB Department to the Charter Discussion

Dr. Perkins reviewed the changes that had been made to the language since the last meeting:
 • The Director position was written to be hired through the Human Resources’ hiring
 process, as opposed to being subject to mayoral appointment.
 • “Recommend” was changed to “consult” on page 4 of the memo containing the charter
 change language.

Motion to bring the REIB charter change back to the full council for action on their next meeting
to place this item on the Town Meeting Ballot with a recommendation of approval.

Motion by Councilor Bergman, Seconded by Councilor Litwin
Final Resolution: Motion Passes
Yes: Unanimous

4. City Council Authority to Pledge Credit Charter Discussion
 4.01 City Council Authority to Pledge Credit Charter Discussion

Finance Director Kukenberger assured the Committee he and CAO Schad would follow up by
the next meeting with further data and documentation regarding the financial impacts to
taxpayers from this charter change item.

Councilor Bergman distinguished the charter change is only asking to increase the Council’s
bonding capacity, not to increase current bond amounts themselves and noted any new bonds
would continue to go before the City Council for a vote, and that there is a repeal process for
Council decisions the public could enact for any votes with which they do not agree.

Councilor McKnight requested information on the frequency for which the City is meeting
borrowing thresholds.

No action was taken.

5. General Fund Tax Fairness Charter Discussion
 5.01 General Fund Tax Fairness Charter Discussion

Deputy Chief of Staff Zakaras proposed to the Committee putting the value-based exemption on
the next ballot as an advisory question while the general fund tax inflator would be voted on at a
later date to allow more time for the Mayor’s Office to engage the public on the matter. Attorney
Brown confirmed for Councilor McKnight that the Committee was not required to take any
further action to make this change.

The Committee discussed whether to symbolically recommend to the City Council that the
value-based exemption be an advisory question on the next Town Meeting Day ballot.



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Councilor Bergman noted if the general fund tax inflator is being deferred, then the
Administration should put the changes forward as two separate resolutions, as the tax inflator
would be considered by a future iteration of the Committee.

Councilor Litwin asked that the Committee have an additional meeting to review language for
the advisory question.

No action was taken.

6. Any Other Committee Business
 6.01 Any Other Committee Business

The Committee set the next meeting date for November 20 at 6:30 PM.

No action was taken.

7. Adjournment
 7.01 Motion to adjourn

The meeting was adjourned with no objection at 7:00 PM.




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