Finance Commission records

Collection

Identifier: 9701.001

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

The Boston Finance Commission records are comprised of three series: administrative files, project files, reports. The administrative files is a small series containing the records of the Finance Commissioner and the records of the Boston Assessing Committee. The project files include reports, correspondence, studies and related information on issues investigated by the Boston Finance Commission. The reports series includes both published and unpublished reports that were issued by the Finance Commission as well as audit reports on various City departments.

Dates

1908-1972

Creator

Boston (Mass.). Finance Commission (Organization)

Historical note

The Finance Commission was initially established by virtue of an Order of the City Council, approved January 29, 1907, which authorized the Mayor to appoint a Finance Commission to consist of seven citizens of Boston. The commission was instructed to examine into all matters pertaining to the finances of the City, including appropriations, debt, loans, taxation, expenditures, bookkeeping, auditing and administration. By Chapter 481 of the Acts of 1907, authority was given to the commission to summon witnesses and to order the production of books, papers, etc. By Chapter 562 of the Acts of 1908, the commission was ordered to report its findings and recommendations to the General Court and its powers were enlarged to enable it to secure testimony on any matter within the scope of its investigation.

The authorizing statutes of the present Finance Commission are Ch. 562, Acts of 1908; Ch. 486, s. 17, Acts of 1909; and Ch. 740, s. 3, Acts of 1964. It consists of five commissioners appointed by the Governor and confirmed by the Executive Council, the term of each being five years. The chairman is named by the Governor. The members of the commission, other than the chairman, serve without pay. The Finance Commission conducts investigations into all matters it deems appropriate. The Commission hires independent staff who conduct many of the investigations, with the Commission publishing and presenting all final reports. The Finance Commission also reviews, and if necessary investigates, all contracts referred to it and reports its findings and recommendations to the Mayor.

Extent

10 Cubic feet (10 record cartons, 1 flat box)

Subjects

Auditing Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
City planning Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
Debts, Public Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
Finance, Public Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
Municipal finance Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
Public administration Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
Public baths Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
Public housing Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
Public utilities Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
Public utilities Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
Refuse and refuse disposal Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
Tax assessment Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
Urban renewal Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings