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VermontH.102025-2026 SessionHouseWALLET

An act relating to approval of amendments to the charter of the City of Barre

Sponsored By: Michael Boutin (Republican)

Signed by Governor

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

4 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 1 costs, 2 mixed.

Barre voting moves to May

Beginning May 1, 2025, Barre’s annual City meeting moves from the first Tuesday in March to the second Tuesday in May. Voters elect officers, consider budgets, and vote on City Manager requests at the annual meeting. The Council may legally schedule the annual City meeting for another date. Special City meetings follow Vermont law. Every question at special meetings, including budget questions, uses the Australian ballot system, meaning voters cast secret ballots.

Barre spending stays within voter budgets

Beginning May 1, 2025, Barre’s fiscal year runs from July 1 through June 30. After voters approve an annual City budget, the Council and City Manager cannot authorize spending above that amount. City deficit spending is prohibited; these charter limits do not cover the School District or its Board. If voters reject City Manager requests, the Mayor or Clerk must call another meeting to reconsider the rejected item and approve a specific sum. Repeat meetings follow State election law, use the previous meeting’s location and hours, and may continue if voters reject requests again.

Barre appoints treasurers and pays bonds

Beginning May 1, 2025, Barre voters elect a Mayor and City Clerk every two years, rather than electing a combined Clerk-Treasurer. The elected Council may appoint and remove a Treasurer and appoint needed Assistant Treasurers; the Treasurer follows State-law duties. The Council fills elected municipal office vacancies until the next annual election, and an appointed City Manager runs City government. The City pays for annual bonds guaranteeing faithful duties by the Mayor, councilors, Police Department, City Manager, Finance Director, Public Works Superintendent, Tax Collector, Clerk, and Treasurer; no bond amount is stated. The Council may assign duties, pass or repeal ordinances, and adopt a seal, but cannot discontinue or reassign charter-assigned duties.

Barre removes charter school governance rules

Beginning May 1, 2025, the law removes Barre charter rules for electing City school commissioners and Spaulding school board members. It also removes rules for filling school commissioner vacancies. The repeals cover School District rules, school commissioner powers and duties, and appointment of a superintendent and principal. The supplied text does not identify replacement rules or establish changes to students’ schooling.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Michael Boutin

    Republican • House

Cosponsors

  • Edward "Teddy" Waszazak

    Democratic • House

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

Actions Timeline

  1. House message: Governor approved bill on May 1, 2025

    5/2/2025House

  2. Signed by Governor on May 1, 2025

    5/1/2025House

  3. Delivered to Governor on April 25, 2025

    4/25/2025House

  4. House message: House concurred in Senate proposal of amendment

    4/24/2025House

  5. Senate proposal of amendment concurred in

    4/23/2025House

  6. Action Calendar: Action postponed until 4/23/2025

    4/23/2025House

  7. Rep. Coffin of Cavendish moved to postpone action until 4/23/2025, which was agreed to

    4/22/2025House

  8. Action Calendar: Senate Proposal of Amendment

    4/22/2025House

  9. Notice Calendar: Senate Proposal of Amendment

    4/18/2025House

  10. Senate Message: Passed in concurrence with proposal of amendment

    4/17/2025Senate

  11. Read 3rd time & passed in concurrence with proposal of amendment

    4/16/2025Senate

  12. New Business/Third Reading

    4/16/2025Senate

  13. 3rd reading ordered

    4/15/2025Senate

  14. Proposal of amendment by Committee on Government Operations agreed to

    4/15/2025Senate

  15. Read 2nd time, reported favorably with proposal of amendment by Senator Vyhovsky for Committee on Government Operations

    4/15/2025Senate

  16. Favorable report with proposal of amendment by Committee on Government Operations

    4/15/2025Senate

  17. New Business/Second Reading

    4/15/2025Senate

  18. Entered on Notice Calendar

    4/11/2025Senate

  19. Favorable report with proposal of amendment by Committee on Government Operations

    4/11/2025Senate

  20. Second Reading

    4/11/2025Senate

  21. Referred to Committee on Government Operations per Temporary Senate Rule 44A

    3/27/2025Senate

  22. Read 1st time

    3/27/2025Senate

  23. Read third time and passed

    3/25/2025House

  24. Action Calendar: Third Reading

    3/25/2025House

  25. Third Reading ordered

    3/21/2025House

Bill Text

  • As Enacted (ACT M001)Opens in a new window

    5/7/2025

    PDF

  • As Passed by Both Chambers

    4/24/2025

    PDF

  • As Passed by Both Chambers (Unofficial)

    4/24/2025

    PDF

  • Senate Proposal of Amendment

    4/18/2025

    PDF

  • Senate Proposal of Amendment (Unofficial)

    4/18/2025

    PDF

  • As Passed by the House

    3/27/2025

    PDF

  • As Passed by the House (Unofficial)

    3/27/2025

    PDF

  • As Introduced

    12/30/2024

    PDF

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