Summary
The FY19 Quarterly Overtime Report for Q2 presents the first significant reduction in Philadelphia’s overtime spending in several years, with key departments such as Police and Prisons lowering their costs. Despite these improvements, overtime spending in the Fire Department and Sheriff’s Office increased, partially offsetting savings. The report attributes these reductions to better staffing levels and improved budgeting practices but warns that further progress is necessary to ensure sustainability. It recommends continued monitoring of staffing-to-overtime ratios and more realistic budgeting for departments with historically high overtime usage.