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Burlington City Council weighs requiring local candidates to disclose personal finances

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  Published in Business and Finance on Tuesday, October 7th 2025 at 14:21 GMT by The Burlington Free Press
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Burlington’s City‑Council Races Tighten as Candidate Reveals School‑Board‑Linked Financial Disclosure

By [Your Name] – Burlington Free Press
Published October 7, 2025

The 2025 Burlington city‑council election has taken an unexpected turn in the early hours of Tuesday, when 35‑year‑old business owner and former teacher Marina “Marnie” Kline filed a required financial disclosure that ties her to the Burlington School Board. While Kline has long been a fixture in the local politics of St. Paul’s Street, the new filing has raised questions about whether her business interests may create a conflict with public duties on the council – and, more specifically, with the school board’s oversight of the city’s public‑school system.

A Candidate With a Dual Role

Kline, who is running in the at‑large district that covers the heart of Burlington, was first elected to the city council in 2019 and re‑elected in 2021. She is known for her advocacy of “smart growth” zoning, expansion of the city’s bicycle network, and public‑space revitalization. In the 2023 council meeting, she was one of the few voices to oppose the controversial proposal to sell a parcel of former factory land to a private developer for luxury condos.

In addition to her council platform, Kline has served on the Burlington School Board for the past two years. She was appointed in a 2023 special election after the resignation of a longtime board member, and her term is set to expire in 2027. The school board’s jurisdiction covers the public schools in the city, which operate on a budget that has been steadily rising over the past decade.

“Education is at the core of our community,” Kline told the Free Press during a city‑wide debate on Wednesday. “I’ve been on the school board for two years, and that experience gives me a broader perspective on how council decisions impact students and teachers.”

The Disclosure: A Close Look

Under Vermont’s public‑officials financial‑disclosure law, all candidates for public office must submit a detailed statement that lists assets, liabilities, income sources, and business affiliations. The filing is publicly posted on the Burlington City Clerk’s website and is meant to promote transparency and prevent corruption.

Kline’s disclosure, released by the clerk’s office on October 6, lists a number of business interests that overlap with the city’s current contracts:

The city council’s ethics committee has reviewed the file and has expressed concerns that Kline’s landscaping and brewing businesses may create a conflict of interest in her capacity as a council member. The committee’s chair, Councilman Dan Miller, said the committee will “examine the nature of the contracts and ensure that there is no undue influence or preferential treatment.”

Kline’s attorney, Julie Hernandez, responded in a statement that “the contracts were awarded through a competitive bidding process and there is no evidence that Ms. Kline used her position to influence the outcome.” Hernandez also said that Kline’s disclosure “exercises her right to transparency and is a model for the rest of the candidates.”

Context: Vermont’s Conflict‑of‑Interest Regulations

The state of Vermont has long mandated that public officials disclose potential conflicts to protect citizens from nepotism and cronyism. The state’s Conflict of Interest Act, which dates back to 1995, requires that any official who has a financial interest in a company that does business with the city must recuse themselves from related decisions.

Under the law, officials can opt to place a “blind trust” or divest from the interest to avoid conflicts. Kline has not indicated that she plans to do either. Instead, she has stated that she will continue to serve on the city council and will recuse herself from council votes that directly affect the contracts of her businesses.

The Burlington School Board has similar regulations. As a board member, Kline must disclose any financial interest that could influence her decisions regarding school budgets, procurement, or staffing. The school board’s bylaws require that any conflicts be documented and that board members recuse themselves where necessary.

Community Reaction: Mixed Feelings

Community response to Kline’s disclosure has been divided.

Supporters argue that the disclosure is a positive step toward transparency. “We need to see where our politicians stand, and Kline has shown us that she’s willing to be open about her interests,” said Ruth Albright, a longtime Burlington resident and local activist. “She’s always been about serving the community, and this isn’t a new pattern.”

Critics worry that Kline’s business interests could skew council decisions. David Miller, a councilor on the East Side, said, “We can’t afford to have any doubts about the integrity of our council. When a member owns a company that’s doing business with the city, it’s a slippery slope.” Miller added that the city’s ethics committee should step in to ensure that all decisions are made in the public interest.

A separate group, led by Elena Torres of the Burlington Chamber of Commerce, has urged for an investigation into whether Kline’s contracts are being awarded at fair market rates. “We need to ensure that the city is getting the best value for its money, especially when public funds are at stake,” Torres said.

Implications for the Election

The timing of Kline’s disclosure – just days before the ballot will be finalized – may influence voters. In a city where the upcoming election is projected to be close, even a small shift in public perception can alter the outcome.

Kline’s campaign has begun to address the issue proactively. On Thursday, her campaign office held a press conference where she outlined her plan to “create a clear separation of duties” between her business and her council responsibilities. She also pledged to “increase the council’s transparency initiatives, including the establishment of an independent audit committee to monitor potential conflicts.”

The Burlington School Board’s President, Dr. Samantha Rios, has said that the board is aware of Kline’s dual role and is working to ensure that any potential conflicts are managed. Rios told the Free Press: “Our students are the priority. We have policies in place to manage conflicts, and we’re confident that Ms. Kline’s involvement will not compromise our board’s decisions.”

Looking Ahead

The city’s ethics committee is set to hold a public hearing on October 18 to discuss Kline’s disclosure in more detail. The committee will consider whether to recommend any action, such as a recusal policy or the establishment of a blind‑trust arrangement.

In the meantime, Burlington voters are encouraged to review Kline’s disclosure, which is available on the city clerk’s website, and to weigh her record on public services against the potential for conflict. The Free Press will continue to cover the unfolding debate, providing updates on the ethics committee’s findings, any changes in Kline’s business holdings, and the impact on her campaign.

For full access to the financial disclosure and the city council’s conflict‑of‑interest guidelines, visit the Burlington City Clerk’s website.