The Mount Vernon City Council is contemplating modifications to its employee travel ordinance, a document that has remained unchanged for over two decades. The council scheduled a brief committee meeting for discussion prior to its regular meeting on May 28.
According to the Mount Vernon City Council agenda packet for May 28, proposed changes in the ordinance include granting the mayor authority to approve travel expenses of all Safety and Service department employees. In cases where the mayor is unavailable or the expenses do not exceed $100, the safety service director retains the power to approve emergency travel. Additionally, the safety service director can authorize attendance by Safety and Service employees at free seminars.
In another suggested amendment outlined in the Mount Vernon City Council agenda packet for May 28, it is stipulated that the municipal court judge, auditor, treasurer, and law director must pre-approve their own expenses as well as those of employees working in their offices.
The Mount Vernon City Council agenda packet for May 28 also indicates that proposed changes establish an allowance for meals and incidentals up to the maximum of the meal allowance. This allowance is based on federal meal and incidental expense per diem rates applicable across the continental United States for each day of travel.
