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Holyoke commission moves to pursue independent budget funded by handicap-parking fines
Summary
The commission voted to seek an ordinance directing handicap-parking fine revenue to a commission-controlled fund and adopted four initial spending categories: commission needs, accessible transportation, student aid for disabled students, and accessibility improvements to city buildings.
At the March 27 meeting commissioners voted unanimously to begin the process of creating an independent budget funded by handicap-parking fines and agreed on four initial spending categories.
Background and rationale: Commissioners and staff told the meeting they reviewed five years of enforcement records and estimated average annual collectible revenue at roughly $36,000. The commission said state guidance supports using funds from handicap-parking fines to finance programs that benefit residents with disabilities.
Four categories: Commissioners adopted these initial categories to present to the mayor and city auditors: (1) commission needs (surveys, outreach, small audio/AV equipment and printing), (2) accessible transportation (partnerships with PVTA, Council on Aging and targeted transportation support), (3) aid to students with disabilities (materials and services identified by school special-education staff), and (4) accessibility improvements to city buildings that serve the community.
Implementation steps: Commissioners said the next step is to secure a city-council ordinance directing fine revenue to the commission fund. They planned meetings with the mayor’s office, the city auditor and the police department to discuss enforcement and revenue estimates, and to approach councilors to build support. The commission planned to use model guidance prepared by an external organization on establishing municipal commission budgets and to present a draft to the mayor’s office in early April.
Constraints and cautions: Commissioners noted incoming revenue may fluctuate year to year, collections are not guaranteed, and some fines are dismissed for legitimate reasons. They also acknowledged using funds for nonprofits (for example, helping a nonprofit such as 1 Holyoke) can be legally complex and would require further legal review.
Next steps included a March 31 or April 1 meeting with the mayor’s office and auditor, outreach to police about enforcement and revenue, and preparation of ordinance language for city-council consideration.
