Strong Collections Continue for CPA Trust Fund

Dec. 20, 2012: After suffering declines in year-over-year revenue early in 2012, the Massachusetts Community Preservation Trust Fund has made a strong comeback during the past nine months, capped by a 25% increase in collections for November.

Since March, the Trust Fund has posted double-digit year-over-year gains. According to data from the Massachusetts Department of Revenue (DOR), March 2012 revenues were 15% greater than March 2011, April was up 18%, May was up 26%, June and August were up 34%, September was up 37%, October, 17%, and November 25%.

These increases alone will not be enough to significantly raise the percentage match for CPA communities. However, as a result of the CPA legislation passed in July, the state will add $25 million from the FY 2013 budget surplus to the CPA Trust Fund in time for the Fall 2013 distribution to municipalities. Although the legislation adds the $25 million just once, legislative leaders have indicated their intention to include $25 million from the budget surplus in subsequent years, as well.