Summary
PICA’s Annual Overtime Report for Fiscal Year 2017 showed City of Philadelphia overtime costs totaled $160.3 million, $31 million more than was budgeted, but $10.5 million less than FY2016, making this the seventh consecutive year the City exceeded its overtime allocation. Despite reducing overtime over the prior fiscal year, excess overtime pushed total wage costs to an estimated $1.591 billion—$25 million more than was budgeted for FY2017. Our report also found: · Seven departments identified for overtime reduction in FY2017 combined to spend $142.6 million, exceeding their combined estimates by nearly six million dollars. · Two of those seven departments stayed within reduced overtime spending plans, while four succeeded in reducing overtime costs as compared to FY2016. · The Police Department spent $66.4 million in overtime in FY2017, exceeding its overtime allocation by the widest margin ($12.8 million). · The report also includes PICA staff analysis on the correlation between staffing levels, leave usage, and overtime costs. While overall overtime costs decreased from FY2016 to FY2017, overtime spending was still beyond what PICA deems reasonable. PICA will continue to monitor the City’s progress in reducing overtime in FY2018.