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Austin PD and Fire Dept Overtime Crisis | Texas News
Austin’s police and fire departments are drowning in overtime costs, with cops spending $28.9 million through June—$2 million over budget—and firefighters racking up $14.9 million, 46% over their slashed budget. March was especially brutal, fueled by SXSW, heightened patrols, and a mass shooting investigation. Police are short 300 officers and scrambling to recruit, retain, and streamline hiring while monitoring overtime every two weeks. Firefighters rely on “added time” to meet staffing mandates, so they’re speeding up cadet training and clarifying leave policies. Meanwhile, Austin-Travis…
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