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Citation: FEMA-1604-DR-MS, City of Gulfport, Force Account Labor Overtime, Project Worksheets 3911, 7827, 9510, and 10220

Cross-reference: Overtime, Labor Costs

Summary: Two days after Hurricane Katrina made landfall, the City of Gulfport (Applicant) authorized overtime at the rate of two times the normal pay for the Applicant’s employees to perform emergency protective measures. FEMA’s Response and Recovery Policy 9525.7, Labor Cost–Emergency Work, permits funding if an applicant’s eligible costs for straight and overtime according to the Applicant’s written policies in effect prior to the disaster. Accordingly, following the Applicant’s Personnel Policy and Procedures Manual dated April 20, 2004, Section 110, page 7, FEMA approved overtime for force account labor at a rate of one and one-half times the normal pay (totaling $1,357,236.84). FEMA denied the additional overtime (totaling $727,427).
Issues: Are overtime policies implemented after the event eligible for FEMA funding?
Findings: No.

Rationale: Response and Recovery Policy 9525.7, Labor Costs–Emergency Work,
dated July 20, 2000.