[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6241060,"mediaKeyId","3310512-1155be4e2941e912e185e74c564baf6c","parentId",3310512,"title","Essex Junction council receives orientation; city manager briefs members on open-meeting law, ethics and committee assignments","audioSeconds",2486,"startMs",2592000,"endMs",5078000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3310512-1155be4e2941e912e185e74c564baf6c&start=2592&end=5078","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3310512-1155be4e2941e912e185e74c564baf6c/thumbnail_2592000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6241060/Essex-Junction-City/Chittenden-County/Vermont/Essex-Junction-council-receives-orientation-city-manager-briefs-members-on-open-meeting-law-ethics-and-committee-assignments","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6241060-c0c6efe4978bf01cf7867673221e24bf/orig.mp4?Expires=1775150344&Signature=gK~lbLDez1kBbRiqobNk9DtIUbediZR7tCaT1TMDpJuJAAKeEPOzqeeDLMyMD6ZlrTh-xumaXmJqe~5W1n8-gdibBqCm4qN7a7LQRm3-nVLEwMUrxfaEbBGunAwPnh8-67Akw0rIBN8ojnsG47LPR0U~F7yp-DXuxbRyCiCPBrnFEdwjup0k-6mDVwEfNI6UlUIkx1lcnaHIz1n-4vUffEPuT9oqd2po-pNYxvLD56f62~vryl8oRi0ITPvmUj50hUaMHeNl6wCm4uA92z7XAf90B2Pm6sAms7i0tJuPvWJbdEJ89~6pFoyx64E8mcv4hamyPBq7wnJmpFkWrlXQOA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Essex Junction City, VT","date","2025-05-15T05:26:01.12Z","article","The Essex Junction City Council received a council-orientation briefing from City Manager Regina Mahoney and staff covering the comprehensive plan and strategic priorities, rules of procedure, open meeting law changes, municipal code of ethics training, boards and committees, and key budget and capital-planning materials.

Regina Mahoney walked through the relationship between the comprehensive plan and the council's new strategic action plan, described the six strategic pillars (housing and urban design; economic development; public services and facilities; transportation; environmental stewardship; community engagement) and said the comprehensive-plan update process will begin in the coming fiscal cycle. Mahoney emphasized that the comprehensive plan is a higher-level, state-coordinated document often updated every eight years and that the strategic plan gives more focused, near-term actions.

Mahoney also reviewed open meeting law changes enacted since 2024, stressing that the law defines decision-making bodies and requires a physical meeting space for municipal legislative bodies; hybrid participation is allowed but a solely virtual meeting does not satisfy the law. She noted the state's new training requirements for municipal managers and chairs, starting January 1, and discussed a codified municipal code of ethics and an associated training requirement. The council packet includes a state ethics commission guide and a link to the city's ethics resources.

The presentation summarized municipal roles under the council-manager form of government: the council sets policy and hires the city manager, and the manager administers operations and prepares budgets. On personnel, Mahoney said, \"the manager is the only person who can hire and fire,\" and described the operational role of the city HR position in supporting recruitment, benefits and personnel processes.

Councilors considered several routine governance items that followed the orientation. Marcus and others discussed governance committee membership; Marcus said he had stepped off the governance committee and the council approved a motion appointing two council members (Elaine and Brian) and, by friendly amendment, City Councilor Sheldon to that committee. The council also discussed scheduling adjustments for July through December and agreed to cancel the fourth November meeting and to move the December 24 meeting to December 17; councilors agreed to leave July/August meetings on the calendar and cancel them only if agendas lack items.

Mahoney highlighted practical governance materials in the packet including the capital program list, purchasing thresholds and the city's contract/consultant appointments. She also noted outreach items and upcoming events: Memorial Day parade on May 24 and other community events.

The orientation material and committee-appointment actions are part of routine governance work intended to ensure compliance with state law and to align council work with the city's strategic priorities.

","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Essex Junction City Council - 5/14/2025","oneSentenceSummary","The council received an orientation covering the comprehensive plan, the city's strategic priorities, open-meeting law updates, municipal code of ethics training and board appointments; members approved governance committee representation and adjusted winter meeting dates.","taxTitle","Essex Junction City, Chittenden County, Vermont","taxId",68791,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6241066,"Essex Junction appoints Wendy Pringle to Tree Farm Management Group; interview held at meeting",8026,854000,8880000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3310512-1155be4e2941e912e185e74c564baf6c&start=854&end=8880","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3310512-1155be4e2941e912e185e74c564baf6c/thumbnail_854000.jpg","/articles/6241066/Essex-Junction-City/Chittenden-County/Vermont/Essex-Junction-appoints-Wendy-Pringle-to-Tree-Farm-Management-Group-interview-held-at-meeting","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6241066-6e04b9bfd9b1f6535add08a01cc5fdc5/orig.mp4?Expires=1775150344&Signature=W4GY89xfj4rVcLXP4AfDNnCptFj3pEwGG24CZUmSRTIbDU7vtter6p6COKtB6paPvzgTxkT9vEUAsjtm4jXrrrDJU389rStNGNEH1PjApOcfVddd56t0gvyJWpPODqHQsApbrdRBSDoY8IFch~DYmJI5u7eApuPB4FvrmAq4kd6q3KGsTdVFptL5gk6jofHSVboGMjmNEBQjGEAreMhFwtqN67w33eLeZSRKopVqVeSo83Qe~JtZex1tKRIegJW6WPRHnDeQ3BN7vE1vs5YSRY3vyAERcxM~RVyNqZ7dd670hktM6dApjyrU9wlbCJmJDHLsV9P8x0EdrZIZ19~MZA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Essex Junction City Council interviewed Wendy Pringle for a seat on the Tree Farm Management Group and later appointed her to the board with a term expiring June 30, 2027.

Wendy Pringle told the council she has lived in Essex Junction her whole life, grew up on Winona Avenue and has four children ages 10 to 20. \"I grew up in Essex Junction my whole life... I want to start doing my Sheriff's Civic duty and I thought this was like a really good, easy, maybe first duty that I could perform,\" Pringle said during her interview. She said her family has used the tree farm for recreation and youth soccer for many years and described the facility as \"an amazing facility\" though she noted potholes and dust at times.

Councilors and staff described the role as a community representative to a regional management group that meets monthly. Mark Breslin of Essex Junction Parks and Rec will attend meetings alongside the city representative to provide the city's operational perspective, council members said. Councilors advised Pringle to \"approach this from the angle of being a responsible steward of that property,\" and told her she could consult with the city manager if questions arose while serving on the management group.

The council discussed Pringle's finance background during the interview; she said she has an MBA and has done budgeting and forecasting work previously, and that she currently assists with tax preparation seasonally and substitutes in local schools.

The council said the appointment would be discussed in executive session later in the meeting and that staff would contact Pringle after that session. Near the end of the meeting the council returned to public minutes and approved a motion to appoint Wendy Pringle to the Tree Farm Management Group Board with a term expiring June 30, 2027. The motion was seconded and approved by voice vote; minutes show no nays.

","Following an in-person interview, the council appointed local resident Wendy Pringle to serve on the Tree Farm Management Group; the council said it will follow up after an executive session decision.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6241071,"Essex Junction Council approves FY26 utility budgets, schedules June 11 public hearing on rates",224,1273000,1497000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3310512-1155be4e2941e912e185e74c564baf6c&start=1273&end=1497","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3310512-1155be4e2941e912e185e74c564baf6c/thumbnail_1273000.jpg","/articles/6241071/Essex-Junction-City/Chittenden-County/Vermont/Essex-Junction-Council-approves-FY26-utility-budgets-schedules-June-11-public-hearing-on-rates","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6241071-f02a3d0f3cf0c95a21a19d348a248dfd/orig.mp4?Expires=1775150344&Signature=QYbrLouVkh6oS04ZNyZXTRPc3epqZkQwC9PQELqOxIakawe15LPqnO9t1nZCZXmUvpz8vlTviBD2TEaqbYbDPnITMCBzPPM4SKKp7gddf63hn4SsizfySma2cAFONTKv6dTGA99YiFHV42h0TiPi0k6GB-UP~kfT1zkU8i9qfblXgjo3EUq2OO~GnjCirr7HdJCUXrlYZ~-WFhjJccRbE1f4EvWpxt7BLDHzxieVs19JO~yd9Zevw8cgAaCdhvZAQkQfSS6VaXY3tvUMqKx7bJUtWxjqQ0io4gTygi0-L0KgiVn0cdprjz23OTFwN13FJiyImHRJVRnKVEaE-PP~5A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Essex Junction City Council approved the city's FY26 enterprise fund operating and capital budgets for water, wastewater, sanitation, stormwater and the EJRP program fund and voted to warn a public hearing on rates set for June 11, 2025.

City staff told the council the combined user-rate increase across water, wastewater and sanitation would be nearly 20 percent, representing about $135 on an average household bill for FY26. Jess, a city staff presenter, said that the budgets grew but that rate increases outpaced budget growth because of declining water consumption and a falling number of equivalent units used to spread fixed costs.

The gap between budget and rate changes, staff said, is driven in part by lower systemwide water consumption, which reduces the number of billed equivalent units (EUs), so fixed costs are spread over fewer units. Jess said the Water Fund budget rose about 8.5 percent while user fees for water would increase about 15.2 percent, in part because of a proposed 4.95 percent rate increase from the Champlain Water District and an expected state water fee increase of roughly 13.5 percent. Chelsea, a wastewater staff member, described infiltration and inflow (I&I) and said Williston has been proactive in finding and repairing sources of groundwater entering the collection system, which has reduced billed flows from Williston in recent years.

Key budget and rate points presented to the council included:

- Water Fund: about an 8.5 percent budget increase; a 15.2 percent increase in user fees; drivers include Champlain Water District charges and state water fees.

- Wastewater Fund: about a 7.3 percent budget increase; a 24.2 percent increase in user fees; staff cited higher biosolid subcontractor expenses, adjusted permit and license costs, and efforts to raise inspection-fee revenue.

- Sanitation Fund: approximately 21 percent budget increase and about a 23 percent increase in user fees; staff noted adjustments to two-party revenue lines and pump-station costs.

- Stormwater Fund: fewer material changes from the previous draft; the proposed equivalent residential unit (ERU) charge would be $54.32 (the packet earlier projected $84.75 before council decisions to phase capital contributions).

Staff also told the council they reallocated payroll and benefits across enterprise funds after a work-allocation review, increasing those line items in water and sanitation to align expenses with where staff actually spend time. The EJRP program fund and enterprise capital program saw no material changes since the previous presentation, staff said. A small senior-center fund balance of just over $16,000 remains available for future programming; staff said no FY26 senior center budget is proposed until renovations are complete.

The council moved to approve the FY26 enterprise fund budgets as presented and to warn a June 11 public hearing to set rates for water, wastewater, sanitation and stormwater. The public hearing requirement was noted as part of an agreement with a large user, GlobalFoundries, so that the company and the public may comment on large-user rate proposals. The council approved both motions by voice vote with no nays recorded.

Staff next steps include finalizing budgets, continuing the work to refine the allocation of administrative fees and preparing materials ahead of the June 11 hearing. Council members asked several technical questions about flow metering, septage volumes and how development in neighboring jurisdictions could affect future capacity and costs. Chelsea said Williston's recent I&I reductions lower its billed flow; staff are planning additional metering in summer projects to improve flow accounting.

The council's approval triggers preparation for the public hearing and continued staff work to refine revenue estimates and operating allocations for FY26.

","The Essex Junction City Council approved FY26 operating and capital budgets for water, wastewater, sanitation, stormwater and EJRP program funds and voted to warn a June 11 public hearing on utility rates after staff explained drivers for rate increases.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Essex Junction council receives orientation; city manager briefs members on open-meeting law, ethics and committee assignments

Essex Junction appoints Wendy Pringle to Tree Farm Management Group; interview held at meeting

Essex Junction Council approves FY26 utility budgets, schedules June 11 public hearing on rates