JCBT appoves 33-month contact with VMI

The current contract that began last year on April 1 expires March 31 with the new contract beginning April 1 of this year providing $243,750 towards VMI’s operations over the last nine months of 2023. In order to get on a calendar year timeline, the first year of the 33-month contract ends Dec. 31, with a 4% increase in each of the next two years. In 2024, VMI will receive $338,000 with four quarterly payments of $84,500. In 2025, VMI will receive $351,520 with four quarterly payments of $87,880.

The original proposal from VMI was for a 10% increase annually, but the consensus of the JCBT board members was for the 4% increase. “We added the caveat that we could consider additional funding on a per request basis,” said board member Jim Bartlett. “If we have a year that expenses are out of sight then we can consider additional requests.”

All seven JCBT members were in attendance and voted unanimously to approve the contract.

VMI Executive Director Andrew Forrester thanked the board for approving the longer contract, which is said will provide continuity and allow VMI to better plan and budget its operations going forward.

“Thank you for your confidence. Thank you for your continued partnership. I’m looking forward to what we will continue to accomplish,” Forrester said. VMI’s marketing budget was not included as part of the contract and will be considered by JCBT at a future meeting. Last year’s marketing budget was $133,800.

With JCBT meeting for its first session of 2023, the board also conducted its annual reorganization by electing officers. Trevor Crafton was elected president, replacing Commissioner David Bramer who had served in that role for the last two years. Victoria Perry, who is serving her second year on the board, was elected vice president. Bramer was elected treasurer, replacing Curtis Chatham who was nominated to again serve in that role but declined the nomination. Wendy Lawson was once again elected secretary for a third consecutive year.