State Overtime Spending Nears Record High

Connecticut state government agencies spent $234.4 million on overtime in fiscal 2019, the third highest on record.

Agency overtime spending increased $6.1 million—or 2.7%—over the previous year.

The legislature’s nonpartisan Office of Fiscal Analysis’ final report for 2019 shows agencies spent $53.1 million on overtime in the fourth quarter.

Overtime costs have jumped since hitting an all-time low in 2017.

Spending peaked at $256.1 million in 2015, decreasing dramatically over the next two years to $219 million in 2016 and $204.4 million in 2017.

Overtime costs have significant short-term and long-term fiscal implications for the state.

As overtime is allowed as a factor in calculating state employee pensions, the failure to control those costs also drives up Connecticut’s long-term liabilities.

Overtime Spending: Top Five Agencies

Department	FY 2020 Overtime*	FY 2019 Overtime**	$ Difference	% Difference
Correction	$58.83 million	$59.45 million	($570,669)	-1%
Mental Health & Addiction Services	$43.99 million	$40.23 million	$3.76 million	9.4%
Developmental Services	$30.9 million	$30.58 million	$418,861	1.4%
Emergency Services & Public Protection	$24.88 million	$21.52 million	$3.36 million	15.6%
Children & Families	$16.71 million	$16.87 million	($158,499)	-0.9%

DOC Overtime Up 6.4%

Five agencies accounted for over 93% of all state overtime spending in 2019, led by the Department of Correction, which paid out $76.56 million.

Three of those agencies cut overtime in fiscal 2019, while costs increased 6.4% at DOC and 33.1% at the Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection.

DOC paid 5,166 employees an average $14,820 in overtime in 2019. The previous year, 4,444 correction workers were paid an average $16,195.

An additional 979 state employees were paid overtime, with 18,333 workers paid an average $12,780.

The agency’s overtime costs peaked at $89.4 million in 2015, falling to $67.9 million the following year.

Connecticut’s prison population has fallen from 19,898 inmates in 2008 to less than 13,000 today.

Average $12,780 Payout

The Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services cut overtime 2.1%, paying 2,605 employees a total of $52.8 million in 2019.

The Department of Development Services reduced overtime spending by 10.3%, paying $39.6 million to 2,446 workers.

Overtime increased $6.5 million at DESPP to $26.2 million, with 1,212 workers paid an average $21,675—the highest average of any agency.

The Department of Children and Families cut overtime costs 2.9%, paying 2,605 employees a total of $22.2 million.

Spending at all other agencies increased $1.3 million (8.4%) to $16.7 million in fiscal 2019.

Overall, an additional 979 state employees were paid overtime, with 18,333 workers each paid an average $12,780.