. >> reporter: dion baker says as the city lays off workers, slashes public safety spending, and browns out fire stations, it's hard to hear about years of wasteful government spending. >> a bit of frustration and a bit of sadness because leadership in general has been a little low. >> reporter: the city auditor michael houston reports the city has been overpaying employees in the transportation and public works department for overtime work for at least six years, from 2018 to 2024. the auditor says the overpayments to about 500 workers added up to more than $1.6 million. >> we have budgetary issues and any waste is a challenge for us, as we are trying to get our budget together. >> reporter: oakland is dealing with a $129 million budget deficit. interim oakland mayor kevin jenkins says this type of waste erodes public trust. >> what i'm going to do is have a talk with the auditor and see what the best course of action moving forward is. >> reporter: the auditor launched the investigation after a whistleblower made the overpayment complaint. it appears the payroll department used the in

. >> reporter: dion baker says as the city lays off workers, slashes public safety spending, and browns out fire stations, it's hard to hear about years of wasteful government spending. >> a bit of frustration and a bit of sadness because stressed for leadership in general. >> reporter: the city auditor, michael houston, reports the city has been overpaying employees in the transportation and public works departments for overtime work for at least six years from 2018 to 2024. the auditor says the overpayments to about 500 workers added up to more than $1.6 million. >> we have budgetary issues and any waste is a challenge for us, as we are trying to get our budget together. >> reporter: oakland is dealing with a $129 million budget deficit. interim oakland mayor kevin jenkins says this type of waste erodes public trust. >> i'm going to have a talk with the auditor and see what the best course of action moving forward is. >> reporter: the auditor launched the investigation after a whistleblower made the overpayment complaint. it appears the payroll department used the incorrect overtime f

. >> reporter: dion baker says as the city lays off workers, slashes public safety spending, and brownse stations, it's hard to hear about years of wasteful government spending. >> a bit of frustration and a bit of sadness because leadership in general has been a little low. >> reporter: the city auditor michael houston reports the city has been overpaying employees in the transportation and public works department for overtime work for at least six years, from 2018 to 2024. the auditor says the overpayments to about 500 workers added up to more than $1.6 million. >> we have budgetary issues and any waste is a challenge for us, as we are trying to get our budget together. >> reporter: oakland is dealing with a $129 million budget deficit. interim oakland mayor kevin jenkins says this type of waste erodes public trust. >> what i'm going to do is have a talk with the auditor and see what the best course of action moving forward is. >> reporter: the auditor launched the investigation after a whistleblower made the overpayment complaint. it appears the payroll department used the incorrect