04-03-2025
Columbus' top-paid employee in 2024 was a police officer who made $200K in overtime
Of the highest-paid city of Columbus employees in 2024, many weren't top administrators or department heads.
They were Columbus Division of Police officers who made significant sums in overtime.
Columbus' top-paid employee last year was police officer Adam Banks, according to payroll data the city released to The Dispatch in response to a request made under the Ohio Public Records Act. Of Banks' $349,699.44 in total compensation, $204,143.15 was overtime pay.
He made more than Columbus police Chief Elaine Bryant, who made $276,050.84 in 2024 with no overtime, records show.
About 12% of the city's nearly $1-billion total payroll last year went to overtime, according to the city's salary spreadsheet.
Over half of the total payroll — $ 529,906,941.62, or 56% — went to employees of the Department of Public Safety, which encompasses the police and fire divisions as well as support services. About 11% of the total payroll across all departments went to overtime.
Adam Banks, police officer: $349,699.44 ($204,143.15 of it overtime)
Mysheika Roberts, city health commissioner: $294,025.39
Michael Exline, police officer: $277,436.27 ($142,423.01 of it overtime)
Elaine Bryant, police chief: $276,050.84
Jeffrey Happ, fire chief: $274,102.98
Anthony Lowrey, police officer: $274,102.98, ($150,060.04 of it overtime)
Scott Soha, police sergeant: $266,162 ($114,265.10 of it overtime)
Kate Pishotti, public safety director: $262,198
David Gitlitz, police lieutenant: $261,670 ($93,242.35 of it overtime)
James Marable, police sergeant in homicide unit: $260,854.52 ($103,875.06 of it overtime)
Deputies at the Franklin County Sheriff's Office also made significant overtime in 2024, though seven of the top-paid county employees were forensic pathologists with the county Coroner's Office.
The highest-paid Franklin County employee last year was Deputy Michael Christie, who made $325,626.90 last year, including at least $183,516.75 in overtime pay. The top-paid sheriff's office employees in 2024:
Michael Christie: $390,493.45 (at least $183,516.75 overtime)
Pedro Martin: $307,146.42 (at least $151,556.94 overtime)
Matthew Robinson: $279,042.15 (at least $61,480.99 overtime)
Janice Nash: $272,155.74 (at least $151,183.46 overtime)
Joseph Smith: $271,109.51 (at least $17,061.81 overtime)
Chad Thompson, an FCSO major who retired after 32 years in late summer 2024: $265,394.22
Matthew Miller: $264,954.47 (at least $126,247.06 overtime)
David Chambers: $262,729.78 (at least $63,533.32 overtime)
Christopher Andreini: $253,215.16 (at least $129,566.71 overtime)
Gregory Bishop: $250,508.64 (at least $121,003.80 overtime)
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This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Top-paid city of Columbus and Franklin County Sheriff's employees
