All news

City Reduces Overtime Spending in July by 48 Percent

August 11, 2010

Mayor Points to Results as Indicator of City’s Fiscal Responsibility

Annapolis, Md. (08-11-10) - Mayor Joshua J. Cohen announces that the City’s overtime spending in July, the first month of the new fiscal year, was 48 percent under budget, a strong indicator that departments are operating effectively under new budget constraints. 

Of the $149,340 budgeted for overtime in July, City departments spent a combined $77,050. As examples: The Police Department spent $29,317 in overtime for the month, coming in $36,520 under budget; the Fire Department spent $15,097, coming in $22,481 under budget. In order to promote greater transparency, the mayor has directed that the report should be posted on the City website: www.annapolis.gov. On the home page, go to Reports and click on July Overtime Report. 

Transportation is the only department that exceeded its budgeted overtime amount. The administration has already proposed substantial cuts that will significantly reduce operating costs for transportation. The City Council is expected to act on those recommendations next month.

Mayor Cohen pointed to the reduced overtime figures for July as a sign that the City’s budget, though austere, is achievable through sound management. Annapolis made the largest budget cut on a percentage basis of any of Maryland’s 157 municipalities - 13 percent - when the City Council passed the $75.1 million spending plan for FY 2011.

“We are fostering a new culture of accountability at City Hall, and July's overtime numbers are a promising indicator of this administration's ability to manage within the new budget,” Mayor Cohen said. “The budget is incredibly tight, and in order to meet our year-end targets we are closely monitoring all expenses on a monthly basis. We still have 11 months to go before the end of the fiscal year, but I am encouraged that we are starting the fiscal year on track to meet our year-end targets.”