Firefighters' overtime could cost an extra $5.25 million

The county Fire Department will blow its annual overtime budget by $5.25 million -- more than double its projections three months ago, according to memo released yesterday by the county auditor.

Teresa Sutherland estimates the department will spend $8 million on overtime pay in the year ending June 30, though only $2.77 million was budgeted.

She looked into the matter following a December memo from Chief Administrative Officer Robert Walker warning of "at least" a $2.5 million overrun.

Ms. Sutherland did not place blame for the discrepancy in her Feb. 17 memo obtained by The Capital.

"It was really just to...