Ulster comptroller questions overtime in county departments
(Copyright © 2010 Mid-Hudson News Network, a division of Statewide News Network, Inc)
KINGSTON – Overtime in the last three years exceeded the amount budgeted by an average of 12.5 percent, according to a report by Ulster County Comptroller Elliott Auerbach.
Auerbach reviewed the Golden Hill Health Care Center, county Health Department, Ulster County Area Transit, the Department of Information Services and the Sheriff’s Corrections Division.
Based on his study, the comptroller said policies in the departments need to be tightened up.
“There is also the issue of whether we use overtime as a tool as opposed to hiring more full-time people, especially in areas that there is a critical need look at the jail, looking at UCAT, looking at Golden Hill Health Care Center,” he said. “It’s the kind of thing where you need to have somebody there; are you better off working somebody from an overtime standpoint than filling a position.”
That will be a decision to be made by the county legislature and county executive, Auerbach said.
(www.ulstercountyny.gov/comptroller/2010-010%20Department%20Overtime%20Report11.10.2010.pdf)
2 comments:
We need jobs more than we need to pay overtime wages. Can't the county cut costs by hiring part-timers?
A call for more staff in the Jail
We are shorthanded in terms of filling posts on each of the three shifts. Overtime runs rampant, and it is not unusual for the night shift officers to work mandatory overtime ONCE every week.
It is more prudent and cost effective to hire part-timers whom could be placed on an "on-call" status. They are permitted to work up to 1040 hours in an calendar year.
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