Controller flags years-long acting-time practice; administration pledges corrective action

The controller's office presented an audit that flagged extended use of "acting time" payments to employees filling higher-level roles for prolonged periods. Deputy Controller Delano Dowell said the audit was intended to identify improper or undocumented uses of acting pay under local finance law and collective bargaining agreements and to recommend controls to reduce recurring personnel costs.

Deputy Mayor Maria White acknowledged the audit and said the administration submitted a response letter; she described commissioner training to clarify when acting time is appropriate and said HR and labor-relations staff are working on corrective measures. "We will work on the remedy," she said, adding that administration officials are preparing documentation and a corrective action plan.

Council members expressed concern that some employees had been receiving acting pay for many years without formal approvals and called for a prompt, thorough remedy. The committee agreed to table the item and scheduled a dedicated session in two weeks for an in-depth review with audit findings and administration responses.