CT City Payroll: Over 200 Employees Earn Above $100K

# Connecticut City’s $100k+ Earners: Police Overtime Drives High Municipal Salaries

Recent data shows over 200 city employees in a Connecticut urban center now earn six-figure salaries. Police department staff top the list, mostly due to hefty overtime pay.

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That compensation pattern sparks questions about public safety staffing, budget sustainability, and how cities handle their workforces. It’s a topic that keeps popping up in Connecticut communities.

Police Department Dominates High-Earner List

A look at payroll records shows something pretty striking. Law enforcement personnel in this city are often the highest-paid public employees, with many making much more than their base salaries.

Other cities—Hartford, New Haven, Stamford—show similar trends. It’s not just a local quirk.

Overtime Dramatically Boosts Police Earnings

Let’s get into the numbers. Police Officer Katelyn Grissler pulled in $190,151.21, which is more than double her base pay, thanks to overtime hours.

Police Captain Jeffrey Rousseau earned $176,076.43. Plenty of officers and supervisors landed somewhere between $100,000 and $170,000 for the year.

This isn’t just happening here. Cities from Waterbury to Greenwich report similar compensation structures, shaped by contracts and, honestly, the realities of the job.

Beyond Law Enforcement: Other Municipal High Earners

Police staff might dominate the top earners, but they’re not alone. Other public safety workers and essential service providers also hit the six-figure mark, though usually not as high as their police colleagues.

Fire Department and Public Works Personnel

Fire department officials show up prominently among the high earners, which isn’t surprising given the value placed on emergency services in Connecticut. Some key roles in other departments also make substantial salaries, like:

Emergency dispatchers who coordinate fast response

Public works supervisors keeping infrastructure running

Senior administrative staff who manage city operations

Bridgeport and Danbury see similar pay patterns. It’s clearly part of a bigger trend in Connecticut’s larger cities.

The Debate Over Municipal Compensation

The salary numbers have fired up debates about public sector pay and how cities spend their money. People on both sides have opinions about whether this setup makes sense or needs a rethink.

Concerns About Budget Sustainability

Some fiscal watchdogs and taxpayer groups worry that all this overtime could push city budgets to the breaking point. Smaller towns like Torrington and Meriden have faced similar worries—what does high compensation mean for local taxes and long-term stability?

“The question isn’t whether public safety personnel deserve fair compensation,” says one budget analyst. “It’s whether the current model of extensive overtime is financially sustainable and operationally optimal.”

The Case for Current Compensation Levels

Supporters of the current system say overtime is a practical fix for staffing shortages. They argue it’s often cheaper to pay experienced officers extra than to hire and train new staff with full benefits.

Public safety officials in Norwalk and West Hartford echo these points. Staffing is tough, and controlling costs is a constant challenge.

Looking Forward: Budgeting and Workforce Planning

The salary data shows just how much it costs to staff and protect major Connecticut cities. When cities plan their budgets, they have to make tough calls about workforce planning and pay.

Figuring out the right way to pay essential workers while keeping city finances in check isn’t easy. It’s a conversation that probably won’t go away anytime soon as towns across Connecticut try to find that balance.

Here is the source article for this story: More than 200 people on a CT city payroll earn more than $100K a year. Many earn more.

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