employee overtime spending
City employee overtime use, budgets, trends, and staffing needs.
What to Watch
Watch whether Police patrol overtime triggers a budget adjustment or operational changes later in 2026, and whether delayed Public Works projects get re-timed.
Coming Up
Typically discussed at Personnel and Finance Committee. Check back when the next agenda is published.
The Story
By June 30, citywide overtime was 54% of the annual budget, but Police patrol overtime was already about 97% used. Public Works overtime looked low, but staff tied that to crews getting pulled into blizzard and storm response, pushing major projects behind schedule. The city says some Police overtime costs should be reimbursed later, but the budget pressure shows up now.
Key Decisions
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passed Personnel and Finance Committee · May 26, 2026 Evaluation of Assessor RFP Submissions
Motion to recommend that the City Council move forward with contracting with Municipal Group for a three-year term.
Record
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The topic appeared on a Public Works Committee agenda.
Public Works Committee -
Staff reported the March 14–17 storm dropped 21.5 inches and required extended plowing and cleanup, along with equipment damage and heavy fuel use.
Public Works Committee -
Staff said an early review indicated about 80% of the year’s snow-and-ice overtime budget was spent on the March 14–17 storm.
Public Works Committee -
Staff identified storm-response repairs including a ToolCat snowblower attachment module/tie rod and a haul-truck rear differential, plus other minor fixes.
Public Works Committee -
A committee reviewed a year-end overtime report for 2025 and was told overtime hours and costs returned to more typical levels after unusually high overtime in 2024.
Public Works Committee -
Staff said they will keep monitoring overtime and looking for ways to reduce it.
Public Works Committee -
Total overtime citywide was reported at 54% of the annual budget through June 30, 2026, described as slightly better than last year’s pace.
Personnel and Finance Committee -
Public Works overtime was reported as low, with the explanation that major projects were behind schedule after staff were pulled into blizzard and storm response.
Personnel and Finance Committee -
Police patrol overtime was reported as near the annual budget limit (about 97% used) by mid-year, with some costs expected to be reimbursed later.
Personnel and Finance Committee -
The mid-year overtime report was handled as a discussion item with no recorded vote or decision.
Personnel and Finance Committee