Mayor Emma Mulvaney-Stanak's responsible, common-sense budget protects core City services and invests in revitalization while also making progress toward closing chronic structural budget gaps.
Vermont Business Magazine Last night, Burlington's City Council overwhelmingly approved Mayor Emma Mulvaney-Stanak's budget for fiscal year 2027 in a 10-1 vote (1 absence). This marked the conclusion of a rigorous and collaborative budget process that the mayor started last fall – far earlier than past administrations – to ensure a strong, balanced financial plan.
“Bringing the FY27 budget into balance took a tremendous effort during an important moment for Burlington. There is clear momentum building across the city that many residents can see and feel. I’m excited about what we’ve accomplished together and energized for the year ahead as we continue this work,” Mayor Mulvaney-Stanak said.
The $112.6 million budget reflected recent negotiations with City Councilors and continued the administration’s work to thoughtfully right-size city government to get us closer to a sustainable budget in the future while also making strategic investments in our city and community.
- The budget maintains core City services that residents rely on and invests in City employees by protecting wages and benefits, including cost-of-living adjustments that are crucial in a high inflationary environment.
- Notably, the budget requires no layoffs to filled City positions; savings are gained through the elimination of 13 vacant positions, the delayed hiring of an additional 14 positions, and a voluntary furlough program.
- The budget prioritizes revitalizing the Queen City with $1M of investments for downtown and the waterfront as well as support for strategic housing initiatives.
- The budget demonstrates a commitment to equity by increasing the security investment in the city’s Central District and earmarking substantial funding for law enforcement training on the Fair and Impartial Policing Policy and other immigration-related policies.
The estimated municipal tax increase for a median house valued at $353,000 will be $191 for the fiscal year, which runs from July 1, 2026, until June 30, 2027. This modest increase reflects the administration's commitment to affordability for local residents.
“I want to thank our residents for overwhelmingly approving the 5-cent increase to the Police and Fire Tax on Town Meeting Day, which played an important role in allowing us to balance the budget while minimizing negative impacts on our city workforce and on our community,” reflected Mayor Mulvaney-Stanak.
This is the third consecutive year that the Mulvaney-Stanak administration has closed a multi-million-dollar structural budget gap. FY27’s projected gap was 10% of the overall budget, around $11 million. Through sustained efforts to right-size City government and address long-standing structural imbalances, the administration has returned the General Fund workforce to levels last seen a decade ago.
“Closing a structural budget gap requires both reducing ongoing costs and making targeted investments because the imbalance is built into the system – it's not just a one-time shortfall,” explained Mayor Mulvaney-Stanak. “Doing this work responsibly requires careful, methodical effort over many years because we need to balance any adjustments in ways that effectively address the immediate gap while minimizing harm to the workforce and community and, importantly, preventing the same imbalance from returning in the future.”
The mayor reflected that her administration's sound financial strategies are putting Burlington back on a steady course of operating within what it can afford as a city – and in a way that bolsters affordability and thriving for all.
“I want to recognize and appreciate our Chief Administrative Officer, Katherine Schad, and our Department Heads for their herculean work to provide a strong, balanced FY27 budget,” said Mayor Mulvaney-Stanak. “This is truly a stellar team, and I am grateful for their steady partnership and deep dedication to our beloved city.”
6.16.2026. BURLINGTON, VT – Mayor
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