July 2026

Good morning!

It's hard to believe, but summer is nearly half over. Here at VLCT we're getting ready for the fall, and we need your help. If you haven't yet, please complete the Compensation and Benefits Survey. Then nominate someone you know for one of VLCT's Awards to honor them as a champion of local government. Also submit your latest town report for consideration in the second annual Town Report Contest. The judges can't wait to see what makes your report special.

News

Legal Updates

Do's and Don'ts for Municipal Agriculture Regulation

A recent Vermont Supreme Court case upended the previously unquestioned conventional wisdom that agriculture was exempt from municipal zoning. Use these two bulleted lists to help understand what authority municipalities now have to regulate agriculture through zoning.

Requests for Reconsideration of Zoning Decisions

The law provides towns with an expedited process to quickly reject frivolous appeals or requests to reconsider a zoning application that has already been ruled on without the necessity of holding a new hearing. Learn more about requests for reconsideration to an Appropriate Municipal Panel.

SCOTUS Rejects Use of Fair Market Value in Tax Sale Returns

This U.S Supreme Court ruling firmly approves the long-held practice of returning to the delinquent taxpayer only the surplus of the winning bid over what the town is owed (taxes plus interest and fees) – not the difference between the property’s elusive fair market value and what the town is owed.

Risk Management

Job Posting Resources

Your team is everything. Effective and compliant recruitment, hiring, and onboarding practices are key to operational success and employee engagement. Use this page to discover new places to advertise your job openings, and more.

PACIF Grants and Scholarships

PACIF Grants and John Lawe Scholarships help municipalities improve safety and reduce risk. PACIF Grants provide up to 50% reimbursement for eligible safety-related equipment and facility improvements. John Lawe Scholarships fund employee safety and risk management training. Both programs are available to PACIF members and are awarded throughout the year while funding remains available.

Make Use of Your Employee Assistance Program

Employees have to balance the demands of work, family, and personal responsibilities. Stress, burnout, and personal challenges can overwhelm anyone at any time. PACIF encourages you and your staff to reach out to Invest EAP for assistance in getting through challenges. Access is free.

Town Fair Registration Opens August 3. Get ready for VLCT's annual conference, Town Fair. Registration opens Monday, August 3. Don't miss out on the reduced Early Bird rates. Register by August 30 to get the discount.

Save the Date

Featured Resources & Opportunities

Grants and Elective Pay: Understanding the Rules

Many municipalities are using Municipal Energy Resilience Program grants to help pay for clean energy projects. These projects also may be eligible for a federal program called Elective Pay. Because both programs can provide financial support, it is important to understand how they work together.

Vermont Open Meeting Law Decision Tree

Not sure if your public body is advisory or non-advisory? Or whether it has to record its meetings – or provide in-person, electronic, or hybrid access? This decision tree will help guide you.

Discover How to Set Purchasing Thresholds

A purchasing threshold is the dollar point at which a government decides the added cost of an RFP or similar procedure is worth the added costs in staff time, slower decisions, and additional paperwork. Set too low, and the administrative cost exceeds the risk being managed. Set too high, and some risk goes unchecked. Use these guidelines to help establish a threshold that works for your municipality.

ICYMI: Latest News

Legislative Wrap-Up

Catch up on what happened during this year's legislative session.

Look at Health Insurance Costs This Way
Could an HDHP reduce your costs without overburdening your employees? Check into it.

2026–2027 Municipal Calendar

Refer to this valuable resource, whether online or the poster, to stay ahead of statutory deadlines.

Local Option Tax – Do the Math

Explore this option before ruling it out; it's not only for resort towns or commercial hubs.

Responsive and Respectful Meetings

Catch up on Governing All with Skill before this important module launches on September 8.

Public-Private Partnerships

Learn practices that build community trust and confidence in these partnerships.

10 Things for Local Leaders to Know About the "21st Century ROAD to Housing Act"

This act is the first comprehensive housing package to pass the U.S. Congress in decades. Learn more about it and what it means for housing.

Member Showcase: The sold out Local Officials Golf Outing raised over $6k for VLCT’s Municipal Scholarship fund thanks to the generosity of sponsors, prize donors, and attendees.

What to Know as You Approach Medicare Eligibility Age

This article outlines key Medicare enrollment rules, cost considerations and planning steps employees should understand as they approach age 65.

Store

About VLCT Journal

Find all issues of the VLCT Journal at vlct.org/journal.

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Please contact us at vlctnews@vlct.org with any comments or suggestions for upcoming content.

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