State Auditor calls for performance audit of LFR due to $7.2 million being paid in overtime

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) — State Auditor Mike Foley has reported more than $7.2 million paid in overtime to members of the Lincoln Fire and Rescue Department (LFR) in 2025.

Foley issued a letter to the City of Lincoln to urge a performance audit of the department.

In the letter, Foley emphasized the need for a performance audit while expending gratitude to members of LFR.

“We all owe a debt of gratitude to the members of the LFR for their outstanding service to the community. Those courageous men and women deserve to be compensated well for protecting us – often at great personal risk – from fires and other hazards,” Foley wrote.

According to Foley, LFR’s top 25 overtime earners received overtime pay averaging $72,247.

LFR Chief David Engler issued a statement today following the call for a performance audit.

““LFR has a responsibility to ensure Lincoln residents can count on reliable emergency response 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, while being a sound steward of taxpayer dollars. As is the case for fire departments across the country, overtime is a necessary part of LFR operations,” Engler said. “The use of overtime enables us to maintain required staffing and continuous emergency response when employees are on leave, to complete required training without taking units out of service, and to meet other operational needs. In some circumstances, overtime is more cost-effective than adding permanent positions or outsourcing specialized work.”

Engler said LFR consistently evaluates the need for additional staffing, adding 33 positions since 2019. He said that while LFR will fully cooperate with Foley’s review and provide any financial records.