Council panel votes to probe improper payments

Other Committee · Meeting of October 27, 2026

BROCKTON — The Brockton City Council's Accounts Committee voted unanimously to ask legislative counsel what authority the council has over unlawful public payments, after disclosures of a $3,650 funeral payment and a decertified school police officer paid $136,635.61 this year. City Auditor Juan and Interim Chief Financial Officer John Condon detailed $18.184 million in fiscal 2026 deficits, including $4.8 million in school transportation costs, a $3.8 million CARES Act shortfall, and a $2 million DPW water charge, that must be resolved before the Department of Revenue certifies a tax rate. Condon warned free cash and reserve funds will be "virtually zero" heading into fiscal 2028.

Councilor Farwell said of an unapproved economic development director position, "we're paying that person to this day." Condon told unions there will be no pay increases in the next budget.

In the full story:

• Fiscal 2026 Deficit Overview and the $18.184 Million Transfer
• CARES Act Deficit and a Possible State Amortization Option
• School Transportation: The Recurring $4.8 Million Shortfall
• DPW Water Desalinization Fixed Charge and the Police Building Sale Writedown
• Snow and Ice, Law Department Settlements, and the Auditor's Office Mail Line
• Fiscal 2028 Outlook: No Reserves Left, Labor Talks, and a New Net School Spending Formula
• Councilor Questions on Transportation and Reserves
• Improper Payments: A Funeral Reimbursement and a Decertified School Police Officer
• Procedural Steps and Outcome
• Implications and What Is Next
• Who Was There
• Organizations And Documents Referenced
• The complete report: 2,391 words

Source: the Other Committee meeting of October 27, 2026, reported from the official video recording and transcript.

Checked against the record: before publication this article was automatically compared with the meeting transcript.