BGS details information centers, print/postal operations, fleet and Vermont Buys rollouts
February 13, 2026 | Appropriations, HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Committees, Legislative , Vermont
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BGS used its FY27 presentation to describe a set of operational programs and a purchasing rollout that the department says affect multiple agencies.
Emily Kacicky, deputy commissioner, described the information center program: the state owns 15 information and welcome centers built with AOT, five of which are staffed under local-chamber agreements. Kacicky said the brochure and local-business promotion program are metrics of success and that the centers had about 3 million annual visitors in recent years.
On internal services, Wanda Manoli explained the department operates a postal and print center that handles secure printing, DMV registrations and check issuance; the postal program has nine FTEs and the print shop 11 FTEs. Staff told the committee they have experienced unreliable USPS service on some days and flagged a budget-document typo in a postal line item which they said they would correct.
Fleet management staff described 47 vehicles in the motor pool, broader passenger fleets assigned to agencies, and a legislative directive to pursue alternative-fuel vehicles. Kacicky said about 60% of vehicles are alternative fuel (mostly hybrids) and that the state has 13 EVs. Committee members queried winter performance and breakdown response; BGS said regional service agreements and a call center provide immediate coverage when vehicles fail.
Jason Pienard, participating remotely, explained that large carryforwards in the purchasing budget related to vendor payments for the Vermont Buys contracting system that went live in the fall. Pienard said carryforward funds from FY25 were used in FY26 for system payments and that the department continues to work on enhancements and bug fixes for the rollout.
BGS described its surplus property program (furniture, vehicles and sharps disposal) and said revenue from sales is returned to the program; it also noted demand for security infrastructure (cameras, badge access) outpaces available capital funding and that large security initiatives will need capital-bill or budget funding.
Emily Kacicky, deputy commissioner, described the information center program: the state owns 15 information and welcome centers built with AOT, five of which are staffed under local-chamber agreements. Kacicky said the brochure and local-business promotion program are metrics of success and that the centers had about 3 million annual visitors in recent years.
On internal services, Wanda Manoli explained the department operates a postal and print center that handles secure printing, DMV registrations and check issuance; the postal program has nine FTEs and the print shop 11 FTEs. Staff told the committee they have experienced unreliable USPS service on some days and flagged a budget-document typo in a postal line item which they said they would correct.
Fleet management staff described 47 vehicles in the motor pool, broader passenger fleets assigned to agencies, and a legislative directive to pursue alternative-fuel vehicles. Kacicky said about 60% of vehicles are alternative fuel (mostly hybrids) and that the state has 13 EVs. Committee members queried winter performance and breakdown response; BGS said regional service agreements and a call center provide immediate coverage when vehicles fail.
Jason Pienard, participating remotely, explained that large carryforwards in the purchasing budget related to vendor payments for the Vermont Buys contracting system that went live in the fall. Pienard said carryforward funds from FY25 were used in FY26 for system payments and that the department continues to work on enhancements and bug fixes for the rollout.
BGS described its surplus property program (furniture, vehicles and sharps disposal) and said revenue from sales is returned to the program; it also noted demand for security infrastructure (cameras, badge access) outpaces available capital funding and that large security initiatives will need capital-bill or budget funding.
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