PORTLAND, OR (KPTV) -
The Portland City Auditor is asking the Portland Fire Bureau to do a better job managing overtime costs, according to a news release from Portland City Hall.
City Auditor LaVonne Griffin-Valade released the results of an audit study Wednesday, which shows that taxpayers pay an extra $8 million per year in overtime cost for fire bureau personnel.
"We recognize that extra pay for extra work is a reality in public safety agencies that need to be staffed around-the-clock," Griffin-Valade said. "The Bureau of Fire & Rescue should take special care to manage personnel costs, because the expenses can have a significant impact on both the short-term and long-term health of City finances."
Commissioner Randy Leonard and Fire Chief Erin Janssens submitted a response to the audit, which is included in the published report.
They said the fire bureau has already taken steps to reduce overtime costs by more than $500,000 in the 2012-13 fiscal year, and that it's open to "practical suggestions" that can continue to improve efficiency in use of public resources.
The report can be viewed online at http://bit.ly/LdGmrM.
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