Finance Committee recommends reauthorizing several city revolving funds, tables surplus land order

The Brockton Finance Committee on April 7 recommended that the City Council reauthorize multiple revolving funds used for municipal services, and approved a $10,000 transfer in the auditor's budget. A separate order declaring a city-owned parcel surplus was tabled for redrafting.

Committee members voted to recommend renewal of the War Memorial Revolving Fund, the Vacant and Abandoned Buildings Revolving Fund, the Demolition Revolving Fund, the Transportation Program Revolving Fund, and the Comcast Revolving Fund. The committee also voted to recommend a $10,000 transfer from the auditor’s part-time salaries to goods and supplies. Earlier in the meeting, an order declaring a former Brockton Area Transportation bus terminal parcel surplus (assessor’s parcel ID 110-076, Plot 372-1) was introduced but tabled at the sponsor’s request "back to the drawing board."

The War Memorial fund was discussed at length. Commissioner James Plouffe said the War Memorial Board plans to reopen the auditorium for rentals after refurbishment and that the building department would manage reservations and custodial logistics; funds would cover custodial overtime when events occur. Councilors asked about rental criteria, pricing and use policy. Plouffe said the board will approve renters on a case‑by‑case basis; he told Councilor Rodriguez the board does not intend to permit “hate groups” and said community groups would be considered for use. Councilors pressed for published criteria and pricing so staff and the public can plan in advance.

On vacant and abandoned properties, Plouffe and CFO Dr. Troy Clarkson said the revolving fund balance stands at about $1.04 million, with FY24 revenues of roughly $229,000 and FY25 revenues near $80,000 with expenses about $99,000 so far. Plouffe said the city currently has “just over” 120 properties on its registry but expects more when a part‑time inspector is hired; he explained the fee schedule (initial registration fee escalating to $1,500 for properties vacant five or more years) and noted demolition and hazardous‑materials costs can drive large one‑time charges that justify maintaining a larger fund balance.

Committee members asked whether the city could reduce the fund balance back to the general fund; Plouffe said past years required large demolitions that would have been difficult without the fund and suggested a lower cap could be discussed later. Councilors also asked about demolition fund expenditures and were told most recent spending covered emergency demolition and board‑up work, and that the demo fund balance is modest (about $16,800) because regular budget lines also cover demolition.

On the Transportation Program Revolving Fund, Doctor Clarkson said the fund was created recently to support council on aging transportation and has not yet seen activity; the $500,000 spending cap was described as a high initial figure to be revisited after a year of operations.

Committee members also questioned the Comcast Revolving Fund, which collects franchise fees in excess of $675,000. Clarkson told the committee the fund balance is $946,222 and that the first $675,000 annually goes to Brockton Community Access. Councilors asked the CFO to request BCA provide a current budget and filings so the committee can review how those public funds are being used.

On the auditor transfer, CFO Clarkson said the $10,000 reallocation would cover routine office supplies and storage costs for records that must remain in physical form. The committee recommended the transfer favorably.

The committee’s formal recommendations are procedural: they forward these reauthorizations and the transfer to the full City Council for final action.

Votes at a glance

- Surplus order for parcel (assessor ID 110-076, Plot 372-1): Motion to table made and seconded; outcome: tabled at sponsor request for revision. - War Memorial Revolving Fund reauthorization (FY26): Motion made and seconded; outcome: recommended favorably to full council. - Vacant & Abandoned Buildings Revolving Fund reauthorization (FY26): Motion made and seconded; outcome: recommended favorably to full council. - Demolition Revolving Fund reauthorization (FY26): Motion made and seconded; outcome: recommended favorably to full council. - Transportation Program Revolving Fund reauthorization (FY26): Motion made and seconded; outcome: recommended favorably to full council. - Comcast Revolving Fund reauthorization (FY26): Motion made and seconded; outcome: recommended favorably to full council. - Auditor budget transfer $10,000 (part-time salaries → goods & supplies): Motion made and seconded; outcome: recommended favorably to full council.

Context and next steps

The committee’s recommendations carry the items to the full City Council for final votes. Councilors requested more detailed pricing and rental criteria for the War Memorial, a breakdown of recent vacant/abandoned expenditures, and updated financial information from Brockton Community Access before budget season.