$1,308,150 Overtime Costs From Nine Firefighters Refusing Vaccination.

 

Quarterly Overtime Report January 1, 2021 Through March 31, 2022 

Citywide overtime costs are 130.3% of budget versus a 62.5% target for the biennium largely due to unanticipated overtime related to the Fire and Police response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Excluding unbudgeted costs that are fully reimbursable (i.e., related to the pandemic and development agreements), citywide overtime costs are 117.6% of budget. 

Fire Department Overtime costs are 145.1% of budget versus a 62.5% target for the biennium primarily due to the following: 

 Extraordinary or Unanticipated Events: 

o COVID-19 Pandemic: $561,903 in unbudgeted overtime costs related to the staffing of vaccination programs and testing sites. These costs are fully reimbursable by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), Washington State Patrol, King County Public Health, and Microsoft. 

o February 2021 Snow Event: $12,809 in unbudgeted overtime costs. 

o December 2021 Snow Event: $37,860 in unbudgeted overtime costs.

 o Vaccination Mandate: An estimated $1,308,150 in unbudgeted overtime costs to backfill for 9 positions that opted to not get vaccinated. 

 King County Medic One Levy: $1,606,903 in overtime costs related to Advanced Life Support operations, the Mobile Integrated Health Program, and firefighters enrolled in the University of Washington/Harborview Medical Center Paramedic Training Program, which are fully reimbursable by the King County Medic One Levy. 

 Development Revenues: $106,742 in overtime costs related to after-hours work performed by Fire Prevention, which are fully reimbursable by development services customers. 

 Fire Academy/Paramedic Training: Several entry-level firefighters were hired in late 2020 and did not begin line service until June 2021, following their graduation from the Eastside Metro Training Group (EMTG) Fire Academy. Some overtime backfill was required while they were at the Academy. In addition, line personnel from participating EMTG agencies, including Redmond, also serve as trainers and are unavailable to serve on the line when working in this capacity, thereby requiring overtime backfill. 

 Light & Modified Duty: Several Fire personnel are serving on light or modified duty, mainly due to injuries. While these staff continue to support Department work, their unavailability for line service contributes to higher overtime costs. Excluding unbudgeted costs that are fully reimbursable (i.e., related to the pandemic and development agreements), overtime costs are 130.2% of budget. 2 Looking at regular salaries and overtime together, excluding unbudgeted costs that are fully reimbursable, total costs are 66.9% of budget

Police Department Overtime costs are 94.9% of budget versus a 62.5% target for the biennium due to unanticipated overtime related to the COVID-19 pandemic, investigations of sensitive criminal cases, and recruitment and testing for vacancies of commissioned positions. Police overtime is also offset by flagging revenues of $166,005. Excluding unbudgeted costs that are fully reimbursable (i.e., related to the pandemic), overtime costs are 70.5% of budget. Looking at regular salaries and overtime together, excluding unbudgeted costs that are fully reimbursable, total costs are 61.6% of budget

-- Finance, Administration, Communication Council Committee of the Whole, May 10, 2022