This is regular update on BTVStat, a performance management approach implemented by the Mayor in 2016 to track and improve the City’s operations. BTVStat brings together City Department Heads to review operational and equity performance metrics and discuss how City teams can collectively identify challenges, make operations more transparent, track progress, control costs, and promote accountability, learning, and collaboration.
Highlights from the meeting are outlined below and additional details on these issues on others available on the City's BTVStat Dashboard.
Burlington Electric Department keeps residential costs low while seeking ways to enhance electric vehicle (EV) charging stations. BED has a 2030 Vision, building on its success in making Burlington the first American city to source 100 percent of its energy from renewable generation, to make Burlington a “Net Zero Energy City” across electric, thermal, and ground transportation sectors. Even with its renewability accomplishment, BED has held electric rates steady for 10 years. In 2016, for example, Burlington residents paid approximately 32 percent less than the average statewide bill. One way to move toward net zero in the transportation sector is to make EV charging stations more accessible and useful. Currently, the City operates 14 electric vehicle charging stations (EVCS) with 25 ports. Energy usage of approximately 5 MWH per month by these stations is equivalent to the energy dispensed by about 13 homes. The most popular EVCS in terms of total users, as well as energy dispensed, is the single port located at Church and Main Streets. Based on these usage rates, a strategic decision was made to update the Church and Main charging station to a dual-port by the end of 2018 to provide more service where drivers need it most. Learn more about EVs and incentives at the BED Electric Vehicles page.
The City is on target to pay 97 percent of all invoices within 30 days. The Clerk/Treasurer’s Office’s mission is to maintain and enhance the City's revenue base by applying sound financial practices. For the past two years, the Office has been awarded the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting by the Government Finance Officers Association. The past two years represent the only two times Burlington has received this award, the highest form of recognition in the area of governmental accounting and financial reporting. This past month, City leadership focused their discussion on the timely and efficient payment to vendors and service providers. Paying vendors and suppliers on time not only helps the City avoid costly late payment charges, but helps to maintain a strong working relationship with local businesses providing valuable services and to the City. This fiscal year (since July 2018), the City has paid 97 percent of all invoices within 30 days (5,919 in total valuing more than $29 million) and will strive to continually provide prompt payments.
Library usage increasing, particularly for youth programming. The Fletcher Free Library’s mission is to inform, enrich, and nurture a community of lifelong learners. Overall circulation at the Library is up by 7.4 percent since 2016, in part due to a focus on curating more online resources and downloadable books to better meet resident needs. The updated Digital Library provides access to eBooks, audiobooks, streaming video, online classes, research tools and genealogy.
Within the Young Adult department, circulation is up by 21.5 percent since 2016. To better understand community use of the library, in addition to analyzing circulation data, an inventory of 2017 Youth Programming was conducted to track how early learning and youth programs were promoting themes of diversity and equity. For more information about the library’s youth programming check out the library’s Programs and Events. If you have thoughts about programming you would like to see, please contact circ@burlingtonvt.gov.
