The Financial Foundations of Local Government

Municipal finance, which touches nearly every service residents rely on, is a specialized field. In this episode, Sean Cronin, Senior Deputy Commissioner of the Massachusetts Division of Local Services, discusses how his agency supports cities and towns across the Commonwealth as they manage public resources. Cronin explains the dual role of DLS as a regulatory agency and a technical assistance partner — helping communities navigate everything from property tax administration and free cash certification to long-range financial planning and workforce development. He also shares how DLS is working to make municipal finance more accessible through training programs, online resources, and partnerships with community colleges. The conversation explores topics including financial resilience, the importance of long-term planning, and the impact of new growth under Proposition 2½. For Further Reading:  Learn more about DLS: https://www.mass.gov/info-details/dls-senior-deputy-commissioner-and-bureaus Learn more about Mass financial policies: https://www.mma.org/mma-webinar-with-dls-covers-financial-policies/ Proposition 2 ½: https://www.mass.gov/info-details/proposition-2-12-and-tax-rate-process To learn more about the MMA: www.mma.org