According to an analysis by The Stockton Record, the city paid firefighters nearly $3.5 million in overtime alone.
''A 40 percent overtime rate in the business I run would be totally unacceptable,'' said Councilman Steve Bestolarides, who is the general manager of Valley Harley-Davidson in Stockton.
Overtime and other compensation doubled the base pay of some firefighters, city records indicated. Firefighter pay totaled nearly $25 million last year.
Bestolarides has requested a meeting with Stockton Fire Chief Gary Gillis to discuss how the department manages its money.
Meanwhile, fire officials defended the extra pay offered to firefighters, including ''incentive pay'' for receiving additional education and training.
''They're well trained and we want them well trained,'' Deputy Fire Chief Ron Hittle said. ''I believe this city gets the biggest bang for its buck.''
According to city records, a fire captain last year took home a total of $148,841, including $21,767 worth of unused vacation time.
