Summary
The FY23 Annual Overtime Report provides an in-depth review of the City of Philadelphia’s overtime expenditures, which reached an all-time high of $249.6 million—an increase of $36.7 million (17.2%) from FY22. Departments collectively overspent their overtime budgets by $29.9 million (13.6%), with public safety agencies—including Police, Fire, and Prisons—accounting for the majority of costs.
Key findings in the report highlight the continued impact of staffing shortages, with the City operating at only 82% of full staffing capacity. As a result, 20 departments exceeded their overtime allocations, with some spending well over 100% of their allotted budgets. The report also provides multi-year comparisons, noting a 34.5% increase in overtime spending since FY21, largely driven by rising salary costs and continued reliance on overtime to meet operational demands.
This report serves as a critical financial oversight tool, offering insights into workforce management challenges, budget forecasting issues, and the need for strategic hiring initiatives to reduce reliance on overtime expenditures in future years.