Chapter 2.16
REIMBURSEMENT FOR EXPENDITURES1
Sections
2.16.030 Use of city or private vehicles.
2.16.050 Applicants for city positions – Interview expenses.
2.16.060 Applicants for city positions – Payment of expenses.
2.16.070 New personnel – Moving expenses.
2.16.080 Reimbursement for certain meal costs.
2.16.010 Employee defined.
“Employee,” as used in this chapter, means full-time or part-time employees, members of the city council, or advisory boards or committees appointed by the city council or city manager. [Ord. 1135 § 2(4)(part), 1995; Ord. 413 § 1, 1977. Formerly 2.66.010.]
2.16.020 Travel expenditures.
Transportation, lodging, meals, and other related expenditures which may be lawfully incurred by officers and employees of the city, when approved by the city manager or city council, shall be reimbursed by the city. The term “lawfully incurred,” as used in this section, means expenses within the categories set forth in this section which are actually incurred while attending to business of the city or which promote, develop, or publicize the city’s best interests. Whenever practical, all such claims shall be supported by bills, statements, or other evidence of expenditure issued by the party furnishing such lodging, transportation, or other goods or services and attached to the claim voucher submitted by any such officer or employee. [Ord. 1135 § 2(4)(part), 1995; Ord. 413 § 2, 1977. Formerly 2.66.020.]
2.16.030 Use of city or private vehicles.
(1) City vehicles shall be used for all city purposes, except that private vehicles may be used in cases where city vehicles are not available, or when there is a limited amount of mileage over an extended period of time. In the latter case, prior approval for use of a private vehicle shall first be obtained from the city manager. When less expensive transportation is conveniently available, only actual travel costs shall be reimbursed.
(2) The use of city vehicles shall be restricted to city operations, except that, upon approval of the city manager, available vehicles may be assigned during off-work hours to standby or supervisory personnel for answering service or emergency calls or for attendance at meetings. Reimbursement for use of a private vehicle shall be at the same rate allowed by Internal Revenue Service regulations for the first 15,000 miles of business travel, which under the existing code is $.15 per mile. For any miles over and above that, it is $.10 per mile. [Ord. 1135 § 2(4)(part), 1995; Ord. 413 § 3, 1977. Formerly 2.66.030.]
2.16.040 Training expenses.
(1) Budgeted city funds may be used to meet the total cost of registration and books for training programs required for advancement or programs directly pertaining to work assignments of employees. Leave from work may be granted for attendance at these programs to the extent that this can be scheduled so as not to unduly jeopardize departmental operations.
(2) Registration costs may be met totally by the city for programs beneficial to the general operations of city employment.
(3) Expenditure of city funds for training purposes in an amount not to exceed budgeted amounts shall only be made after prior approval by the city manager and upon recommendation by the department head. Employees shall be required to furnish proof of satisfactory completion of programs prior to reimbursement. [Ord. 1135 § 2(4)(part), 1995; Ord. 413 § 4, 1977. Formerly 2.66.040.]
2.16.050 Applicants for city positions – Interview expenses.
The council finds that in selecting personnel to fill city positions requiring special experience and training to qualify for such positions, that it may become necessary to personally interview applicants. In certain cases the expense of sending city employees to interview applicants may exceed the expense of paying the applicant(s) expenses in coming to the city for an interview. The city council therefore affirms, that if a monetary savings can be made, that applicants be paid travel and subsistence expenses for an interview within the city, provided the applicant resides more than 200 miles from the city. [Ord. 1135 § 2(4)(part), 1995; Ord. 413 § 5, 1977. Formerly 2.66.050.]
2.16.060 Applicants for city positions – Payment of expenses.
The city manager is authorized to determine the feasibility of having the applicants come to the city for an interview and in this event and upon obtaining council ratification, the city manager is authorized to approve payment for travel and subsistence expenses. [Ord. 1135 § 2(4)(part), 1995; Ord. 413 § 6, 1977. Formerly 2.66.060.]
2.16.070 New personnel – Moving expenses.
Subject to council approval, the city manager is authorized to pay a noncity resident, selected and confirmed for a city position, the reasonable and necessary cost for moving household goods and personal effects from his place of residence to a residence within 20 miles of Des Moines City Hall in King or Pierce Counties except for Vashon Island. All expenditures shall be made from the appropriate operating fund within the city’s annual budget. [Ord. 1396 § 1, 2006: Ord. 1135 § 2(4)(part), 1995; Ord. 413 § 7, 1977. Formerly 2.66.070.]
2.16.080 Reimbursement for certain meal costs.
Provided funds have been budgeted the finance director and/or the city manager are authorized to reimburse employees for meal costs while attending nonrecurring and isolated functions involving city business and community meetings. This reimbursement shall be made upon properly signed vouchers supported with payment receipts. [Ord. 1135 § 2(4)(part), 1995; Ord. 413 § 8, 1977. Formerly 2.66.080.]
For statutory provisions on payment of claims for expenses, see chapter 42.24 RCW. For provisions on compensation for members of part-time boards and commissions, see RCW 43.03.220 – 43.03.260.