Summary
The FY17 Annual Overtime Report provides an analysis of Philadelphia’s overtime expenditures, which totaled $160.3 million, marking the seventh consecutive year that overtime spending exceeded budgeted allocations. While this represents a $10.5 million reduction from FY16, the City still overspent its budget by $31 million, reflecting ongoing workforce and budgetary challenges.
The report evaluates the seven departments targeted for overtime reduction under the City’s Five-Year Financial Plan. While Public Property and Police remained within their projections, Fire, Streets, Parks & Recreation, and Free Library exceeded their planned overtime spending, with some departments surpassing their allocations by more than 150%. Public safety and citywide operations—including the Democratic National Convention, the NFL Draft, and public protests following the Presidential Inauguration—also contributed to overtime costs.
Despite the first year-over-year reduction in overtime spending since FY10, the report underscores the need for realistic budget forecasting, improved workforce management, and strategic overtime planning. PICA recommends that the City align staffing levels with service demands, adjust overtime budgets based on historical trends, and improve oversight to prevent excessive costs in future years.