Finance committee backs $1.61M free‑cash transfer after audit steps outlined for redevelopment authority funds

The Brockton Finance Committee on Monday recommended that the City Council approve a $1,609,443 transfer from certified free cash to cover appropriation deficits connected to Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and HOME program spending.

Dr. Troy Clarkson, Brockton’s chief financial officer, said the Department of Revenue notified the city and the transfers are required for the city to set its tax rate and issue tax bills. Clarkson told the committee the mayor was detained and could not attend, and the city invited Auditor Juan Gonzalez to the meeting to explain details.

"We have retained CliftonLarsonAllen to conduct a detailed assessment of the BRA and their funds," Clarkson said, referring to the Brockton Redevelopment Authority. He described work to compile a financial statement as of June 30, 2024, and said the city engaged a consultant, Capital Strategic Solutions, and has provided planning reports from Judy Barrett to staff.

Councilor Farwell pressed staff for accountability, reciting multi‑year deficits he said were recorded under redevelopment authority programs and questioning why earlier oversight had not prevented those shortfalls. "This city has got to get serious about holding people who are in positions of authority and responsibility accountable for their work," Farwell said. He cited figures for earlier years that the packet lists: under the lead paint abatement program FY21 a $126,098 deficit; FY21 HOME a $290 deficit; FY21 CDBG $310,212.72; FY22 CDBG $88,967; FY23 CDBG about $959,000; and FY23 lead paint about $1,170,511.

Clarkson and Auditor Juan Gonzalez told the committee the city is documenting the steps taken since the city assumed control of the funds from the BRA. Clarkson said the city will use an auditor’s balance as a starting point and that additional staffing and procedural support will be funded from CDBG and HOME accounts so there will be no general‑fund commitment for those expenses.

Clarkson said the city is also in active conversations with a retired community development director to serve part time to guide staff and that the city will develop policies and procedures for the newly consolidated department.

Farwell said that the accounting designation of a "deficit" can reflect the timing of reimbursements to federal programs, but added that the repeated multi‑year deductions were unacceptable and that the council needs earlier notice to exercise oversight: "The only way we can intervene and have meaningful action... is to know the relevant facts."

After discussion, a motion to recommend the transfer favorably to the full City Council passed without recorded roll call names at the committee level.

What happens next: The transfer will be heard at a special City Council meeting; Clarkson said the packet and supplemental documents, including the Department of Revenue notice and the auditor’s memo, were distributed to the council prior to this meeting.