FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
June 1, 2014

CONTACT: Peter Van Delft
(617) 704-6682

SHERIFF TOMPKINS VISITS MA STATE HOUSE TO ADDRESS SUFFOLK COUNTY SENATE DELEGATION

Sheriff Steven W. Tompkins (center), with Senators (L to R): Sal DiDomenico, Anthony Petruccelli, Linda Dorcena Forry, Sonia Chang-Diaz, Michael Rush, and William Brownsberger.

Suffolk County Sheriff Steven W. Tompkins recently visited the Massachusetts State House to meet with the Senate delegation representing Suffolk County and have dialogue about the Senate’s upcoming Fiscal Year 2015 Budget Recommendation. The presentation also highlighted the significant savings to the taxpayers of Suffolk County that have been realized by the aggressive fiscal program undertaken by Sheriff Tompkins’ administration, along with collaborative efforts with the Legislature.

Sitting alongside Suffolk County Sheriff’s Department Superintendent In–Chief Michael Harris, Sheriff Tompkins spoke to the delegation about some of the ways in which the Department was able to eliminate what had been a $4 million shortfall at the outset of Fiscal Year 2014.

Included among several measures enacted to cut costs and close the shortfall, over $1 million in salary was eliminated as a result of organizational restructuring and position consolidation, which was implemented following Sheriff Tompkins’ appointment to the post. An additional $1.5 Million in reduced spending obligations have occurred as a result of advantageous procurement and billing measures.

Following his presentation, which attested to the Department’s work in managing its budget responsibly, Sheriff Tompkins reiterated to the delegation the significance of such efforts. “I tell you all this because, clearly, I’m proud of the work that we are doing, but more importantly, I tell you all of this because I want to assure you that we are doing our part, as you in the Legislature require and expect of us, to operate this Department as efficiently, effectively and safely as possible,” said Sheriff Tompkins.

Turning to the proposed FY15 Senate Budget Recommendation, Sheriff Tompkins noted the fact that this proposal would leave the Department with another $4 million deficit for next year, a figure that would likely prove to be insurmountable.

“Although I can assure you of my continuing efforts to realize operational efficiencies and to pursue increased revenue generating opportunities, I must equally assure you that even the most extraordinary of successes in these initiatives will not close this projected $4 Million deficit.”

For more information about Sheriff Tompkins or the Suffolk County Sheriff’s Department, please visit www.scsdma.org.

| return to Press Release index |