Government
Houston is on track to exceed its budgeted overtime spending by more than $54 million by the end of the fiscal year, a Feb. 3 presentation from the city controller’s office shows. What’s happening? City departments are spending more on over- time pay each month than allocated for in the FY 2025-26 budget, adding to Houston’s $227 million growing shortfall for the fiscal year, according to a Feb. 3 committee meeting. Houston’s fire, police and solid waste depart- ments have contributed the most to employee overtime spending so far this fiscal year, Deputy Controller Will Jones said. According to general fund projections from the controller’s office, these departments are expected to exceed budgeted overtime spending by: Employee overtime grows budget deficit
Department overtime spending, FY 2025-26
The Houston fire, police and solid waste management departments are expected to exceed budgeted overtime by $54 million.
Budgeted
Actuals/ projections
Fire Department
Solid Waste Department
Police Department
Projection
$8M
$6M
$4M
$2M
$0
July 2025
Aug. 2025
Sept. 2025
Oct. 2025
Nov. 2025
Dec. 2025
Jan. 2026
Feb. 2026
March 2026
April 2026
May 2026
June 2026
Fiscal year
NOTE: VALUES ARE APPROXIMATE.
SOURCE: OFFICE OF CITY CONTROLLER CHRIS HOLLINS/COMMUNITY IMPACT
• $38 million: Fire Department • $13.2 million: Police Department • $2.1 million: Solid Waste Management Common causes of overtime include staff short- ages, recruitment challenges and holidays.
Looking ahead Finance Director Melissa Dubowski said the finance department is working on analyzing the spending and savings of all city departments, not just the three from the presentation, which will be presented to Houston City Council in April.
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