Dear South Burlington Neighbors,
My name is Laurie Smith and I am running for the three-year City Council seat.
As I have knocked on doors across the city, the most persistent concern I have heard is that tax rates are deeply concerning and must be brought under control.
As a City Councilor, I will prioritize a process for balancing growth and taxes to ensure that the city is fiscally responsible in its governance. It’s important to me that the city grow in a manner that protects all our residents, maintains open space, provides access to recreational opportunities throughout the city, maintains a vibrant business environment, and provides housing that reflects our community’s needs and the SB Climate Action Plan.
As a current Planning Commissioner, I am proud of the hard work I put in this past year to help craft our City Plan 2024, which is the roadmap for our city’s future. As a City Councilor, I will strive to shape a Comprehensive Growth Management Plan for South Burlington, an effort that will engage all neighborhoods and stakeholders. This process will help us better project and understand the cost implications of different styles, rates, and types of growth and to ensure that the development path and actions we take will not overburden our municipal systems or residents’ pocketbooks.
Like many of you, I am frustrated with our broken school funding system and believe that the City Council must work in conjunction with the School Board, our City Leadership Team, and our State Reps and the Governor to address this problem. Our schools are the foundation of our city’s future, and we must find a financially feasible path for maintaining the excellence in education for which South Burlington is known.
I am deeply grateful that I have received contributions from households in every corner of our community ranging from $30 to $300 and equally grateful for the endorsements from all our City Councilors and many of our appointed City Leaders. I am honored to receive such broad support from our community.
Please look at my website — SmithForSBCouncil.com — for more information and reach out to me if you have any questions.
Thank you for choosing South Burlington as your home; I hope you will consider casting your ballot for me this year.
In service,
Laurie Smith
