While many departments rely on overtime to meet operational demands, the report concludes that continued year-over-year growth suggests overtime has become a recurring component of County operations rather than a temporary response to staffing shortages. The report encourages continued evaluation of staffing models, scheduling practices, and operational efficiencies to better manage long-term payroll costs.
On call pay, which compensates employees for remaining available for work outside regular hours, grew 53% countywide between 2022 and 2025, from $532,424 to $812,815. Nearly 59% of on call spending in 2025 was concentrated in the Sheriff’s Office and the Public Defender’s Office.
“Overtime is an important operational tool, but when it becomes the default way departments cover staffing gaps, it stops being a short-term tool and starts becoming a long-term cost driver,” said Ulster County Comptroller March Gallagher. “The allocation of overtime and on call pay among employees is discretionary decision-making that can substantially increase an employee’s pay and retirement benefits. This report gives County leaders the data they need to have an honest conversation about staffing levels, scheduling practices, and the true cost of doing business this way.”
The report is available on the Ulster County Comptroller’s website along with the updated Payroll Dashboard. Together they provide taxpayers, legislators, and other County officials with greater transparency into overtime, on-call pay, and other payroll trends that continue to shape the County’s financial outlook.
