Audit reveals payroll discrepancies in San Francisco Fire Department payroll practices

A comprehensive audit of the San Francisco Fire Department's payroll practices has revealed significant discrepancies and potential overpayments, prompting urgent calls for reform. The audit, presented by Tanya Bidigio from the City Services Audit Division, focused on the fiscal year 2009-2010 and scrutinized payroll practices affecting nearly 1,500 employees, predominantly represented by the San Francisco Firefighters Union Local 798.

Key findings highlighted that the department's payroll expenditures exceeded $207 million, with issues stemming from improper adjustments to vacation and sick leave accruals for non-suppression employees. The audit found that these adjustments, which were not supported by official guidelines, resulted in an estimated overpayment of $150,000 during the audit period. The report also indicated that suppression employees, who work longer hours, received disproportionately higher vacation accrual limits compared to their non-suppression counterparts, leading to further financial discrepancies.

The audit recommended that the Fire Department discontinue the controversial adjustment practices and align pay rates with documented agreements. Additionally, it urged the department to automate payroll processes to reduce manual entry errors, which were found to cause an average overpayment of $63 per error, potentially totaling $44,000 for the fiscal year.

In response, Deputy Chief Fields acknowledged the audit's findings and expressed the department's commitment to implementing the recommendations. He emphasized the need for collaborative discussions with city officials and labor representatives to resolve outstanding issues.

As the Fire Department moves forward, the implications of these findings could lead to significant changes in payroll management practices, ensuring greater accountability and efficiency in the future.