An attempt by Councilmember Mike Miller to limit employee meal reimbursements to overnight travel failed on a 2-4 vote by the Mount Vernon City Council on May 28. The council approved its revised employee travel ordinance.

According to the Mount Vernon City Council's May 28 draft meeting minutes, Miller's motion to only reimburse employees' meals on overnight trips was seconded by Councilmember Tammy Woods. Miller and Councilmember Janis Seavolt voted in favor of the additional limitation, but Councilmembers Tammy Woods, James Mahan, Mel Severns, and John Ruckman voted against the amendment.

As reported in the Mount Vernon News, the ordinance granted 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. The safety service director can authorize attendance by Safety and Service employees at free seminars.

The municipal court judge, auditor, treasurer, and law director must pre-approve their expenses as well as those of employees working in their offices, according to the Mount Vernon City Council's May 28 draft meeting minutes. It also established an allowance for meals and incidentals setting the maximum allowed based on federal meal and incidental expense per diem rates applicable across the continental United States for each day of travel.