Bill > S0255

This bill establishes a pilot program in Windham County, Vermont, to create a Windham County Law Enforcement Governance Council, referred to as the "Council," which will coordinate law enforcement and related public safety services, such as dispatch and animal control, for participating municipalities. A "member municipality" is defined as a town within Windham County that votes to join the Council and receive these services, while a "nonmember municipality" has not joined. The Council will be formed when at least five municipalities agree to participate, and its operations and funding will begin on July 1, 2026, or when the five-municipality threshold is met, whichever is later. Municipalities can join by a majority vote at a town meeting, and each member municipality will have one representative on the Council, who must be a selectboard member, and will contribute to the Council's costs through a county property tax based on population. The Council will be governed by its member representatives, elect officers annually, and meet regularly, with a majority of member municipalities forming a quorum. Its duties include adopting bylaws, setting the annual budget for services, determining the scope of services, developing performance standards, monitoring service delivery, and submitting its budget to the Windham County Assistant Judges for inclusion in the county budget. The Windham County Sheriff's Department will provide services under an annual agreement with the Council, and these services will be coordinated with state and local law enforcement agencies. The pilot program is set to end on June 30, 2034, and the Council will report annually on its finances and service delivery, with a comprehensive evaluation submitted to the General Assembly by December 31, 2033, to assess its effectiveness and potential for statewide replication. Nonmember municipalities will not be charged for Council services and will retain their rights to establish their own law enforcement or contract independently, and the bill clarifies that it does not affect the duties of the Windham County Sheriff, State Police responsibilities, existing municipal law enforcement agencies, or mutual aid agreements.

Government Affairs

https://legislature.vermont.gov/bill/status/2026/S.255