The state spent 2.7 percent more money on overtime pay during the first quarter of the fiscal year, according to the Office of Fiscal Analysis.
In the July-to-September period, the state spent $68.8 million on overtime, which was up from $67 million during the first quarter of the previous fiscal year.
The Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services accounted for much of the overall increase, as payments rose 12.8 percent, from $14 million to $15.8 million. That was followed by the Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection, where overtime rose by nearly $935,000, according to the report.
Overtime payments increased in fiscal year 2019 and 2018, though salary expenses have declined over the past decade.
Correction: An earlier version of this story incorrectly stated that the Department of Correction saw overtime payments increase in the first quarter of the new fiscal year. DoC overtime decreased compared to the year-ago quarter. The largest increase by dollar value among state agencies was the Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services.
