 City-Wide Reassessment: Frequently Asked Questions
The current Citywide reassessment is entering the final stages and will be producing new property valuations for publication in early April.
You may have questions on what this will mean for you. We have created several resources to help answer your questions.
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General Information Learn more about the process, timeline, and contacts. |
Frequently Asked Questions Watch this video to see Coralee Holm, Director of Community Engagement & Innovation asking common questions about the reassessment to Martha Lyons from the Tax & Assessment office.
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 FY20 Audit Is Complete
The fiscal year 2019-2020 Audit for the City of South Burlington is complete, conducted by RHR Smith & Company, and is now posted on the City’s website. The annual Audit Presentation was made last week at the City Council meeting on March 15.
The Audit consists of the independent Auditor’s report, management’s discussion and analysis, basic financial statements including statement of net position, fund financial statements, required and supplemental information including notes to the financial statements, and the federal compliance.
Amidst the Pandemic, and in spite of reduced revenues, the City finished the year June 30, 2020 with just over $20,000 on the balance sheet. The total Fund Balance is currently at $1.6 Million dollars, and since no funds were needed to be utilized to make up for any shortfall in FY20, the $20,000 will be added to that fund balance.
 Application Period for Committee Service Open!
We are now accepting applications to fill open seats on the various South Burlington City Committees. The City Council appoints South Burlington residents to a multitude of committees that cover areas such as planning, energy, natural resources, bike and pedestrian facilities, recreation and parks, economic development, affordable housing and more. Applications are due by Monday, April 12. Interviews will be held in April and May, with appointments made in June. Service begins July 1.
Learn more or apply.
 Construction Begins at Edgewood (Cider Mill II)
Ground is being broken at Edgewood (a.k.a. Cider Mill II). The first zoning permit was recently issued by the Planning & Zoning Department for the Phase 1 infrastructure work (roadway, utilities & site work). This work is anticipated to last about 12 months. Construction traffic will access the site from Hinesburg Road. This planned unit development is approved for 142 homes comprised of single-family, two-family and multi-family units.
 Swift & Spear Feasibility Study
The Swift & Spear Feasibility Study wants your input! Over the next several months, the City of South Burlington, CCRPC, and their design consultants will be exploring options to improve walking, bicycling, and driving through the Swift Street / Spear Street intersection. The project team invites you to learn more about this project and provide input about your experiences at this intersection. Your input will be used to create alternative design options and proposed improvements. We want to hear from you!
 FUNDRAISER: Reading to Inspire Tues, April 6 | 7 pm | Virtual
The South Burlington Library Foundation is celebrating National Library Week, April 4-10, with “Reading to Inspire,” an online author event featuring some of Vermont’s most renowned writers.
Alison Bechdel, Emily Bernard, Stephen Kiernan, Madeleine Kunin and Tanya Lee Stone will read from their work and discuss their writing process.
The event is presented by the Aspire Capital Campaign for the South Burlington Public Library and registration is by donation (suggested $25.) Monies raised will be used to enhance the new library’s spaces, collections, and technology.
The Public Library is slated to open at its new location on 180 Market Street this July.
Learn more.
Application Status and Recently Issued Permits now online
Two new features of the Planning & Zoning webpage:
- Status of current and recent applications under review by the Development Review Board.
- Logbook of recently issued zoning permits
http://www.southburlingtonvt.gov/departments/ planning_and_zoning/current_application_status.php
Both are updated bi-weekly.
This same page also includes a link to where all development review applications, supporting materials, and decisions, and all zoning permits can be viewed online in our permit database
FREE TAX HELP Do you or someone you know need help with their taxes? Its Free! Learn more.
OWN YOUR HOME? FIND OUT IF YOU QUALIFY FOR THE VERMONT PROPERTY TAX CREDIT If your yearly household income was less than $138,500 in 2020 and you meet certain residency requirements, the State of Vermont can help you pay for your property taxes. You could be eligible for up to $8,000.00 worth of credit!
Call Vermont Department of Taxes at (802) 828-2865. ► Visit http://www.tax.vermont.gov/property/tax-credit ► Visit http://www.vtlawhelp.org/property-taxes ► Need help filing your taxes or for the property tax credit? Contact VITA, the IRS's Volunteer Income Tax Assistance service at 800-906-9887, or http://www.irs.gov/individuals/freetax-return-preparation-for-qualifying-taxpayers to see if you qualify.
School District Events
Special School Board Meeting: Work Session
March 31 | 6pm
Agenda can be found at www.sbschools.net
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SIGN UP TO RECEIVE CITY NEWS
Not on our mailing list? Want to receive the bi-weekly South Burlington City News and other news in your email box?
Visit us at www.sbvt.gov and sign up under "How do I?"
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UPCOMING MEETINGS & EVENTS
For a complete list of meetings & events, please visit the calendar at www.sbvt.gov
CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL MEETING Monday, March 29 | 6:30 pm
Council Work Session
- Discuss recommendations for the Chittenden County Regional Planning Commission Interstate-89 Corridor Study – Charlie Baker, Executive Director, CCRPC
Join the meeting online: https://www.gotomeet.me/SouthBurlingtonVT/city-council-special-meeting-1-03-29-2021
Phone (audio only): (312) 757-3121 Access code: 675-634-413
CITY COUNCIL MEETING Monday, April 5 | 6:30 pm | Virtual
- Consider and possibly approve appointment for City Assessor
- Consider and possibly approve resolution for FIPP
- Discuss and possibly appoint a new representative to the Green Mountain Transit Board of Directors
- Review and possibly approve agreement with Local Fire Fighters Union
Phone (audio only): (646) 749-3112 Access code: 720-229-645
Watch the Last City Council Meeting Recording
Want to see what happened during the latest City Council meeting? Can't attend the live session online? We've got you covered. You can watch the recorded March 15 meeting here.
Planning Commission Tuesday, March 30 | 7 pm (tentative) Tuesday, April 6 | 7 pm (special and tentative)
Recreation & Parks Committee Monday, April 12 | 5 pm
Visit sbvt.gov for meeting access info, agendas and minutes.
Dog Park Committee Tuesday, April 13 | 6 pm | Virtual
Join Zoom Meeting Virtually https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82381861562?pwd=cFN0RE1yN3c3eVB2Q3hXZFJCbjk3QT09
Meeting ID: 823 8186 1562 Passcode: 0GatBm Phone: 312-626-6799
 City Clerk's Office: How to Access Services
Need to access the Clerk's office for a title search, vital records, or marriage license?
Visit the City Clerk's page and see how to do so!
The Bicycle and Pedestrian Committee sure does and think it's getting better and better every year. So why not be recognized for that? Over the last year, the committee worked with the City to complete and submit an application to have South Burlington designated as a Bicycle Friendly Community by the League of American Bicyclists.
Now we need your help to complete a survey to share your thoughts. Read more and complete the survey.
RECREATION AND PARKS
 Heads Up: Owl in the Park
We have been informed that a park patron was struck by a Barred Owl this past weekend at Red Rocks Park. Be extra cautious on the West Loop and Lichen Ledges in the next month or so during their nesting season. To learn more about Bared Owls:
https://vtfishandwildlife.com/learn-more/vermont-critters/birds/barred-owl
 April Stools Day!
Now that the snow has melted, we are beginning to see just how active our furry friends have been over the long winter and now it is time to SCOOP THE POOP! Read below for a service opportunity in April to assist in dog waste removal at Wheeler Nature Park. In addition, we are working on dates and details for a similar event at Red Rocks Park. We will try our best to keep park dog waste bag receptacles filled during this especially busy season. Thank you to those who make an effort to pick up after your pet and for the army of volunteers who are helping to support a happy park experience and a cleaner lake! Here is the Lake Champlain Committees “ Scoop on Poop”-
“Pet waste carries nutrients that feed the growth of weeds and algae in the water. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) estimates that two or three days' worth of droppings from just 100 dogs contributes enough bacteria to temporarily close a waterbody to swimming and fishing” Please do your part in protecting our lake and our park experiences.
April Stools Day at Wheeler Nature Area: April 10th, 9 – 11 AM, Leaders: Drew Shatzer & Lina Swislocki, VT Master Naturalists- check out the Recreation and Parks Website for how to register.
For more information about how to improve the health of Lake Champlain and for more details about April Stools Day clean up along the water, please check out the Lake Champlain Committee website https://www.lakechamplaincommittee.org
 Vermont Green Up Day Saturday, May 1
While COVID protocols prevented participation last year, we are eager to jump onboard this year. With all the extra activity of the past year, we are looking forward to picking up trash and “greening up” our city. Stay tuned to the City website in the coming weeks for more details of how South Burlington is participating and how you can help. Check out the Green Up Vermont website for more details about the history of this program and the many ways it promotes a healthier and happier Vermont.
https://greenupvermont.org
Muddy & Icy Trails
Spring has arrived and with it, Vermont’s annual Mud Season! If you are out on the trails, please be sure to exercise caution, especially in the woods or shadowed areas, as they can still be icy. We know these sunny days ahead will spark the explorer in all of us and we want to make sure you are aware of the safety hazards that the natural elements still provide. Check out this Vermont Sports Magazine article for more Do’s and Don'ts of Mud Season! https://vtsports.com/mud-season-dos-donts
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 The sunny skies and quick stretch of warmer temperatures make us eager to peel off the layers of winter and go out there to play! While we certainly encourage you to access our parks and trails, please note that we are not allowing use on any athletic fields just yet, nor are our tennis courts open for the season.
We will continue to monitor the field conditions and let you know when facilities are ready for play, as well as when the courts have been safety checked, swept and prepped for the season. We traditionally target a full opening for mid-late April or Early May; dependent of conditions and work flow.
Thank you for your patience as we try to keep up with the projects that the spring thaw presents; especially after a full year of the pandemic. We will get everything up and running just as soon as we can.
PUBLIC LIBRARY
The Library is currently operating only curbside service. See the current hours. Curbside Pickup: M, Th, F 11-3 pm and T, W 2-6 pm
Call us at: 802-846-4140. http://www.southburlingtonlibrary.org
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