YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio - Youngstown City Police officers earned over three million dollars in overtime last year which was almost one million dollars over budget. 
 
But Youngstown's Finance Director says the amount is more in the range of $500,000 over budget since the city is reimbursed for overtime due to special task forces officers work on.  
 
When the numbers were crunched on overtime they were still concerning to city council members.
 
Youngstown City Council budgeted an extra two million dollars for police overtime last year due to a shortage of officers, 
 
But the total overtime was almost about $900,000 more
 
The nearly three million in overtime had city council members surprised, including former Youngstown Police Chief Jimmy Hughes, and retired Youngstown Detective Sergeant Pat Kelly, who was also a Campbell police chief and is Chief of Security for Youngstown Schools. 
 
"Historic. I think this is the first $200,000 salary that we've had within the city of Youngstown for the patrol," said Councilman Jimmy Hughes. 
 
"I just thought it was excess. When you have people that are working more overtime hours than regular hours, there's a problem," Councilman Pat Kelly said.
 
Youngstown's Finance Director confirms 10 brass and two rank-and-file patrol officers made between $50,000. and around $88.000 in overtime last year. 
 
One Detective Sergeant worked overtime almost daily,  even on his vacation and holidays and earned more than $139,000 overtime. With his base pay of over $70,000 a year, his pay was over $200,000 in 2023. 
 
City council members understand overtime is necessary due to a shortage of police officers and the need to work more hours during a homicide, but they believe there is a need to reign those costs in.
 
Councilman  Hughes as Chairman of the Safety Services Committee will be scheduling meetings and wants the use of auxiliary and reserves explored.
 
Some believe pay to match surrounding departments could also reduce overtime costs.
 
"More police officers, maybe different types of police officers," Councilman Hughes said. 
 
"I think if they eliminate some of the steps and up the starting salary at the top of tier for patrol I think you can get a lot more people signing up to take the job," Councilman Kelly said. 
 
Some council members believe if the brass is going to supplement shifts they need to patrol just like the patrolmen do to help keep residents in the city safe.