Common use of Compensatory Time Off (CTO) Clause in Contracts

Compensatory Time Off (CTO). In lieu of overtime payment, members shall have the option of accruing compensatory time off (CTO) at the rate of one and one-half (1 1/2) hours of compensatory time off for each one (1) hour of overtime worked, unless the overtime hours are accrued as a result of an emergency situation. The City may offer voluntary scheduled overtime assignments on a payment-only basis before allowing members the option of accruing CTO. Members shall not accrue more than one hundred (100) hours of CTO. Members who exceed the maximum hourly amount of CTO shall receive pay in the pay period in which the overage occurs for all hours that exceed the maximum. Members may elect to receive pay for up to fifty percent (50%) of their CTO balance each June. The City will send out notices on or before May 1 of each year providing members with a form to exercise this option. Members who are interested in exercising this option under this section must return the completed form to the Finance Department on or before May 16. Payment shall be made in the pay period that contains June 1. CTO balances of less than five (5) hours shall not qualify for this cash-out provision. There shall be no carryover of CTO, and all CTO balances will be automatically cashed out in the last paycheck of the calendar year. Employees may elect to increase their deferred compensation contributions concurrent with the voluntary or mandatory cash out of CTO in a manner consistent with law and IRS Regulations. The City will notify members on or before May 1 and October 1 of the opportunity to increase their deferred compensation contributions. CTOs shall be scheduled between the member and the member's Department consistent with operational needs and FLSA requirements, recognizing that CTO shall not be approved if the result will interfere with minimum staffing levels, provided that requests to use CTO shall not be unreasonably denied.