Brockton committee approves $100,000 transfer from free cash to match large community-compact grant; CFO outlines scope

The ordinance committee voted to recommend transferring $100,000 from certified free cash into the community compact grant fund as the City of Brockton provides a local match for a large community-compact grant awarded by the Commonwealth.

Mayor Robert S. Sullivan described the award as one of the largest community-compact grants in the Commonwealth's history and said state officials wanted to see "skin in the game" from the city. CFO Troy Claxton told the committee the grant's scope will include three primary components: development of financial policies and formal workflow guidelines for the city and Brockton Public Schools; development of long-range budget and revenue projections for both entities; and a review of collective-bargaining obligations with guidance and negotiation strategy.

Claxton said the funding source for the local match is certified free cash; he reported the city's certified free cash was $21,463,000 and that, after prior appropriations, the net balance remaining was about $17,047,000. He said the city will seek consultants for multiple types of expertise, expects to provide regular reports to the Commonwealth, and noted that contract negotiations across city unions expire June 30 and that timing is important. Councilors asked for routine progress updates and Claxton agreed to provide them.

A motion to recommend the $100,000 transfer favorably was made, seconded and carried. The committee recommendation will go to the full City Council for final appropriation.