Finance committee postpones vote on mayor’s health commissioner pick after questions on hiring process and residency

Mayor Robert Sullivan’s nomination of Dr. Victor Sebastian to be Brockton’s commissioner of health and human services was discussed at length and postponed by the Finance Committee on Aug. 18, 2025, after members raised procedural and residency concerns.

The committee paused its recommendation to the full City Council so members could review hiring paperwork and a job description and hear from human resources and legal counsel at the next meeting. The mayor said he will issue a 30‑day interim appointment and provide additional documents to the council.

Why it matters: The new commissioner position will oversee the city’s Board of Health, the council on aging and human services programs and is positioned to lead grant-seeking and epidemic response. In the hearing, members repeatedly cited recent increases in local HIV and tuberculosis cases and said the city needs clear lines of authority and documentation before confirming a long‑term appointment.

At the meeting, Mayor Robert Sullivan described the legal route used to create the post as a home‑rule petition…