Comptroller Announces Expanded State Financial Transparency; Adds First Sheriff’s Ancillary Payroll/Payment Data to CTHRU

Comptroller Thomas Shack is pleased to announce the availability of ancillary payroll/payment data from Middlesex Sheriff Peter J. Koutoujian’s Office in the latest expansion of the state’s CTHRU transparency platform. Additional data from other Sheriff’s offices will soon follow.

While expenditure and payroll records for Commonwealth Sheriff’s Offices are already included on CTHRU, many Sheriffs use separate systems to make payments for civil process service and local paid details, among other “ancillary” services. These payments are typically funded through fees charged for the service.

The addition of the ancillary payroll/payment records is another step forward for Commonwealth financial transparency and fulfilling the Comptroller’s mission of promoting accountability, integrity, and clarity in Commonwealth business, fiscal, and administrative enterprises.

“I applaud Sheriff Koutoujian and the Middlesex Sheriff’s Office as the first to publish this new data set on CTHRU and for proactively embracing transparency innovation. Sheriff Koutoujian’s effort to promote transparency and accountability is critical in supporting the public’s right to know how state resources are utilized. I also appreciate those Sheriffs who are actively supporting this initiative,” said Comptroller Tom Shack.

“When we identified inconsistencies in our payroll system, we approached the Comptroller’s Office and together we worked collaboratively to make the necessary modifications,” said Sheriff Peter J. Koutoujian. “Our objective with today’s launch is to contribute to a more transparent, uniform payroll system for the benefit of both employees and taxpayers.”

Comptroller Shack went on to say “despite the fact that financial transparency funding and the legal mandate to maintain such a system falls on others in state government, earlier efforts fell flat. Since adopting the challenge just two years ago, there have now been more than 2.5 million page views on CTHRU, and the Comptroller’s team has become a nationally recognized leader in innovation and transparency.” 

The new instance of ancillary payroll/payment information will be expanded quickly as other Sheriffs join the effort. The information can be found on the main CTHRU site. For more information on Sheriff Koutoujian and the Middlesex Sheriff’s Office, visit https://www.middlesexsheriff.org/.