Having made it through a nor'easter, a solar eclipse, and most of mud season, we can all look forward to the new growth and bright sunshine of spring. This VLCT Journal has a reminder about PACIF's great funding opportunities, an update on using social media, a call to help new officials learn to use our online services, and more. We hope you'll share this Journal with new officials as part of acquainting them with all the Vermont League of Cities and Towns has to offer.
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We recently updated our MAP FAQs page. Please encourage new officials to learn about and start using the Municipal Access Portal (MAP) so they can find web resources, register for trainings, pose questions, and more. Start here.
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Easily find our latest Weekly Legislative Reports and topic-based update pages.
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Three new VLCT manuals, including the "Selectboard Handbook" are now online!
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Did you register for an event but can't find your Zoom link? Here are the steps for retrieving it.
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Apply now to fill a municipal seat on the state's Opioid Settlement Advisory Committee.
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Officials involved in reappraisal, assessment, and grand list maintenance: please act soon!
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Register NOW to be in the Snowplow Rally or the Backhoe Competition. Peruse exhibits, too.
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IMPORTANT: Even if you reported your ARPA funds as fully obligated and expended in your 2023 or 2022 reporting, you still must submit your federal 2024 Project & Expenditure (P&E) Report by April 30. Additionally, make sure anything you intend to report as "obligated" meets the U.S. Treasury's definition; just transferring your ARPA funds into your general fund does not qualify as obligating them. Learn more.
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The Lindke v. Freed decision by the US Supreme Court on March 15, 2024 established a test for when local government officials are considered "state actors" for the purposes of the First Amendment when they post on social media. The National League of Cities provides more information about what this means for you, and VLCT has new social media information and a model social media policy for members.
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Take advantage of these two funding opportunities for members of the VLCT Property and Casualty Intermunicipal Fund (PACIF). Applications for both are accepted on a rolling basis. The grants for approved equipment and facility improvements provide up to 50% reimbursement, ranging from $300 to $5,000 depending on contribution size. John Law Scholarships – for individual or group training related to risk management or safety – reimburse up to $2,500 per municipality.
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Did your town have an eclipse gathering? Submit photos to VLCT's Community Lens project! We want to see your public safety officials in action, the hard work of your public works staff, and the community members that gathered together with tourists from around the country to view this rare natural occurrence. Don't have eclipse photos? you can submit pictures of your municipality in action any time!
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VLCT asked members in March about how you hold public meetings. The results of the data we gathered show that 56% of municipalities are holding hybrid meetings. Those who aren't holding hybrid meetings identified staff capacity, staff technical knowledge, and equipment costs as major barriers. The results also show what software is commonly used and which other public bodies are holding hybrid meetings.
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Julie McKenzie is VLCT's new Assistant General Counsel, PACIF Labor and Employment. She joins VLCT with nearly two decades of experience helping employers solve difficult workplace problems. Julie believes strongly in the importance of equity: "Every day, I partner with employers to make work a place that is fair, equitable, diverse, and inclusive. After years in the trenches, often the work feels like it will never be finished, but the growth and promise in getting it right is so fulfilling."
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The National League of Cities (NLC)'s Race, Equity And Leadership (REAL) department is launching REAL Essentials, in partnership with NLC University, to bring more educational opportunities to municipal leaders across the country. These courses are designed to equip local elected leaders and municipal staff with tools to effectively integrate racial equity into the work of local government and lead through challenges to racial equity in their communities. This spring, NLC is offering two courses: Advancing Racial Equity for Municipal Leaders and Communicating Effectively About Race & Equity. Learn more.
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When are PACIF's Scholarship and Grant applications due?
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There's no specific due date – and funding can run out quickly!
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The National League of Cities is conducting a survey to better understand the financial empowerment efforts happening in towns, cities, and villages across the country. They want to learn about any initiatives taking place within your community that are designed to improve the financial well-being of families! Responses will directly inform NLC's technical assistance and shape an upcoming publication on the topic.
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Registration is now open! Taking place on June 21 at Vermont's only municipally owned 18-hole golf course, Green Mountain National in Killington, this is a great opportunity to take a break from your normal duties and enjoy a summer day with colleagues and vendors from around the state (and beyond). Learn more.
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Wednesday, April 24
12 PM – 1 PM
Zoom
Bring your lunch and your questions! New officials are encouraged to attend. Register.
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Thursday, April 25
11 AM – 12 PM
Zoom
Learn everything you need to know about unemployment insurance. Register.
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Tuesday, May 14
5:30 PM – 8 PM
Hybrid
Governing board members of small to mid-size municipalities will learn about selectboard roles and responsibilities and transparency laws. Register for In-Person or Webinar.
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Thursday, June 6
2 PM – 3 PM
Zoom
Unemployment Insurance Trust members will meet their team at Equifax Workforce Solutions and learn the basics of how to use the Equifax CaseBuilder web-based system. Register.
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Even when much of the state still had snow on the ground, we were already planning for the leaves to turn color and VLCT's annual conference – Town Fair – to take place in Killington. Mark October 2-3 on your calendars and stay tuned for announcements about roundtable topics, the keynote address, fun events, trainings, and more. Save the date.
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Looking for something you saw in a previous issue? You can easily find all issues of the VLCT Journal at vlct.org/journal.
As always, be sure to follow us on social media and regularly check the updated home page of our website for breaking news and announcements.
Please contact us at vlctnews@vlct.org with any comments or suggestions for upcoming content.
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* POP QUIZ ANSWERS
Applications are accepted and approved on a rolling basis until funding runs out. Apply now.
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