MADISON, Wis. -- John Nelson drove nearly $160,000 to the bank last year. It's almost $50,000 more than what Madison Mayor Dave Cieslewicz made.

Officials say it's because of a sharp increase in absences -- and then, the overtime to cover for it.

City records indicate Nelson earned $159,258 in 2009 -- more than city Comptroller Dean Brasser ($151,551) and more than police Chief Noble Wray ($143,598).

The only other Metro driver in the city's top 20 is Gregory Tatman, who earned $125,598 last year.

Metro Transit General Manager Chuck Kamp said the main factor was the huge amount of overtime paid to Metro drivers last year -- because of the 28,000 hours that employees took off, under the Federal Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA). It's a 44 percent increase from 2008.

In addition to that, the perfect storm formed because of Nelson's seniority -- because of his years of service, he had first grabs at overtime. He clocked close to 4,000 total hours last year.

Kamp said Nelson did nothing wrong - but he's looking at tools they can use to better manage the issue of extreme overtime.

"We have some tools -- but quite frankly I'd like more tools," Kamp said. "And we're working with our human resources office -- and as of today the mayor's office -- to look at ways to control FMLA so that we get our overtime costs down further."

Kamp says it's Metro's No. 1 priority for this year.

Kamp also assures the public that despite the 80 or more hours a week the driver is working, safety is not a concern. He says the two drivers have 51 years of safe driving, combined.

Unlike interstate charter bus drivers and semi drivers, there are no state or federal laws for city transit drivers, restricting the number of hours they can drive in a day.