At their past two meetings, county commissioners have been asked to approve expenses incurred at conferences that are higher than the Howard County guidelines.
The county’s travel policy allows $79 for a hotel room and meal reimbursement of $5 for breakfast, $8 for lunch and $13 for dinner. The county pays 40 cents per mile for the use of a personal vehicle.
Two weeks ago, commissioners approved amounts over the policy for a Drug Court conference in St. Louis and for Community Corrections employees to attend a conference in San Francisco.
At the time Sheriff Marty Talbert said $79 per night was not reasonable in a major metropolitan area.
Community Corrections director Steve Mauss said three employees wanted to attend a state-wide convention in Indianapolis. He said the employees would require three rooms for two nights at $97 per night. Mauss said the state guideline allows $89 per night for a room.
Mauss said if the county wouldn’t cover the cost of the room, the employees would not attend the convention. User fees would pay the expense and not tax dollars, he said.
Auditor Ann Wells said her office recently paid a $33 claim for breakfast. Wells said employees know they will be reimbursed up to $13 for a dinner meal.
“My office has to deny claims because of county policy,” she said.
User fees should be treated the same as tax dollars, Commissioner Paul Raver said.
Commissioner Brad Bagwell said commissioners have talked about changing the guidelines and department heads should get prior approval before approving trips that go above the county guideline.
When attending conferences in Indianapolis, commissioners drive back and forth on a daily basis, according to Commissioner Dave Trine.
“If it is important enough to go to,” Bagwell said, “it is important enough to drive back and forth.”
Mauss said the convention is at the Hyatt Hotel and offers a discount for parking, which he said is hard to find in downtown Indianapolis.
Bagwell said the employees could park in the Circle Center parking garage and walk to the Hyatt. He said paying to park is cheaper than for an overnight stay.
The commissioners denied the request by Mauss.
The commissioners did approve two dining claims for two people while in San Francisco at $89 each day.
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