Check out this release we just got from the City Controller:
Overall Overtime Costs Down 5%, Fire Dept.'s Still Up
City Controller's economic report includes a look at the Fire Dept.'s $1.6 million increase in overtime halfway through the year
PHILADELPHIA – City Controller Alan Butkovitz today released his monthly economic report that shows the City's overtime costs are down five percent, but the Fire Department's overtime costs are $1.6 million more compared to this same period one year ago.
Halfway through the current FY2011 the Fire Department's overtime payments totaled $10.5 million, compared to $8.9 million in the first half of FY2010. The Department's overtime expenses for every month this year have exceeded costs from the same month in the prior year.
As a means to reduce the Fire Department's overtime costs and save $3.8 million this year, Mayor Michael Nutter implemented a "brownout" measure to temporarily close certain fire stations on a rotating schedule. If the second half of the fiscal year mirrors the first half's costs, overtime payments could reach $3.2 million above last year's mark.
Overall city-wide overtime payments for the first half FY11 totaled $59.8 million compared to $62.6 million in the first half of FY10. Some of the departments with significant decreases include the Office of Supportive Housing, Public Property, Sheriff's Office, Streets Department and the Police Department.
Along with a look at overtime costs, the Controller's monthly economic report also highlights the city's monthly tax revenues. The Wage/Earning/NPT tax collections for the month totaled $143.4 million, which is a 30 percent increase from December of last year. It is the highest monthly collection for this revenue stream since January 2008.
The Controller's economic report is compiled on a monthly basis and includes an Economic Snapshot and Forecast, as well as real estate information and other local statistics. These reports are circulated every month to assist key decision makers in understanding and anticipating local and national economic trends. Both of these documents are a useful tool for policy makers and analysts in understanding our regional and local economy.
To view the Economic Forecast and Monthly Snapshot, please visit the City Controller's Web site at www.philadelphiacontroller.org
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