Pima County Sheriff’s Department Blows Past Overtime Budget by Nearly $2 Million

The Pima County Sheriff’s Department is facing significant challenges as it approaches the end of the fiscal year. Currently, the department is nearly $2 million over budget on overtime costs, which at one point resulted in approximately $9,000 being spent daily on overtime pay. This is the second consecutive year the department has surpassed its overtime budget, a trend that began following Sheriff Chris Nanos’s appointment in July 2015.

Newly appointed Sheriff Mark Napier asserts that he has made strides in reducing overtime expenditures since taking office in January. He remains optimistic about maintaining the department’s budget in the upcoming fiscal year.

A recent analysis revealed that from July 1, 2016, to February 28, the department averaged $9,300 in daily overtime costs. However, that amount has seen a significant reduction, dropping to roughly $4,900 daily between March 1 and May 27. Pima County employees receive overtime compensation at 1.5 times their regular pay rate.

Overtime pay is relevant to about 1,400 employees across various roles within the department, encompassing administrators, sworn officers, and corrections personnel. Historically, in fiscal years 2013 and 2014, the department budgeted nearly $1.6 million annually for overtime, finishing each year with notable savings. Yet, in fiscal year 2015, the overtime budget was exceeded by $200,000.

By the end of the 2016 fiscal year, overtime expenses reached $2.9 million, representing an excess of over $2 million compared to budget estimates. For context, during the same year, Tucson’s police department, employing around 1,300 staff members, issued $6.6 million in overtime payments.

The sheriff’s overtime budget received a minor increase this year, totaling $861,000 from a $147 million overall budget. By February 28, $2.25 million had already been paid in overtime, pushing the department nearly $1.4 million over budget. As of mid-May, that figure increased to $1.73 million above budget. Napier attributed part of this inflation to a practice of granting overtime more liberally in the past, describing it as “gifts to placate the troops.” He acknowledged that this approach lacked fiscal responsibility.

Between September 2016 and the following year, overtime hours fluctuated significantly. Initially logged at 3,900 hours, numbers surged before the November election, raising questions about the necessity of such high overtime levels. Napier noted that while extreme emergencies can cause spikes in overtime, the previous figures were inexplicable.

To manage costs, Napier has emphasized using overtime only when operationally necessary. Under his leadership, the department’s average overtime hours per pay period have decreased from approximately 3,950 to 1,372. The approach involves careful scrutiny of each overtime instance to ensure public safety is not compromised.

While grants may alleviate some overtime costs in the future, certain units will still require funding outside the sheriff’s general budget. The narcotics special investigation unit, which surpassed its $42,500 overtime cap, will benefit from a partnership with the Counter Narcotics Alliance to draw from High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas (HIDTA) funds.

Nevertheless, budget cuts have caused dissatisfaction among officers. Eric Cervantez, president of the Pima County Deputy Sheriff’s Association, highlighted concerns that reduced overtime could negatively impact public safety and the department’s proactive capabilities. Although the need for fiscal accountability is recognized, the diminishing pay checks worry many officers who are leaving for higher-paying positions elsewhere.

Despite these challenges, Napier is steadfast in his commitment to restructuring the department’s finances and improving budget autonomy within operational ranks. He faces a $6 million projected deficit and has had to delay training academies and minimize staffing to regain financial control.

Looking ahead, Napier is positive that the department will navigate budget constraints more effectively. With an eye toward accountability, he aims to reform past practices while ensuring the agency meets its public safety obligations.

Star reporter Murphy Woodhouse contributed to this story. For more information, contact reporter Caitlin Schmidt at cschmidt@tucson.com or 573-4191. Follow her on Twitter @caitlinschmidt.