Clinton County legislators debate cutting $135,449 in Sheriff’s overtime from 2019 budget

County Administrator Michael E. Zurlo told the Clinton County Legislature on Nov. 28 that the Sheriff’s Patrol Division’s overtime situation will be a question for the 2019 budget: a $230,000 overtime line item is included in the proposed budget and the specific overtime amount flagged by the Legislature was $135,449.

Legislator Mark Dame urged the Legislature to remove $135,449 from the proposed 2019 overtime line, arguing the amount was “totally within the discretion of the Legislature” and describing current overtime levels as excessive. “The amount of $135,449 is totally within the discretion of the Legislature because the amount is not offset by grant revenue,” Dame said.

Chairperson Harry McManus said cutting funds without a clear accounting of how overtime was used would be premature. Legislator Robert Hall asked that Sheriff’s Office leadership attend the Personnel Committee meeting scheduled for Dec. 3 to explain overtime usage. Legislator Christopher Rosenquest cautioned against a targeted cut to a single department, saying it would be unfair to single out one agency while other departments face similar pressures.

A motion to remove the $135,449 from the Sheriff’s overtime line failed 1-9-0. Legislator Dame later moved to remove all overtime from the Sheriff’s Department budget, but the motion received no second and thus did not proceed.

The Legislature heard additional context from Zurlo about 2018 overtime totals: the 2018 overtime budget was $215,000 and through September 2018 overtime expenditures had reached approximately $220,000. The Personnel Committee will invite the Sheriff to the Dec. 3 meeting to provide a detailed explanation of overtime use, scheduling practices and efforts to reduce overtime costs.

The meeting ended with no immediate change to the Sheriff’s overtime allocation; any modification will require either further committee direction or a formal vote on a budget amendment.