Council weighs raising overtime budget after chiefs cite staffing shortfalls

Finance staff reviewed overtime history and told council the city has seen significant year‑to‑year variation: "Total overtime spent, citywide, $795,052" (2023) and over $1.2 million in subsequent years, with year‑to‑date figures under $1.0 million. Based on the trend, staff recommended a conservative overtime budget of roughly $1.2 million and asked council for direction on how much to budget for guaranteed and discretionary overtime.

Public‑safety leadership described constraints that drive overtime costs. One chief said, "I control overtime to an extent," noting the communications center was substantially short‑staffed and that deployments, sick leave and special events require back‑fill and create overtime. Fire personnel explained that part‑time duty crews provide flexibility but when duty crew members don’t show, full‑time staff cover shifts at overtime rates. Councilmembers pushed back at times but several supported adding overtime funding to avoid service gaps; the mayor and finance staff agreed to place a proposed overtime allocation in contingency for further committee review.