Local News
County rethinking travel policy
Meal, hotel guidelines may need refining.
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.
- Local News
-
-
Jefferson Manner exec fired amid drug charge
The executive director of a Kokomo retirement community was fired Wednesday after being accused by police of using and selling methamphetamine.
- Shots fired near Walnut and McCann streets Police are looking for several men in a green car that fled the area of Walnut and McCann streets Thursday afternoon after several shots were fired.
-
NIPSCO plans to absorb Kokomo Gas
A northern Indiana-based gas and electricity provider announced today it intends to absorb Kokomo Gas and Fuel.
-
U.S. 31 work to begin on Tuesday
Heavy-duty equipment is in place along Business 31 in Miami County, but it won’t be used until Tuesday.
-
Kokomo City Line service starting Tuesday
Tracy Nelson said she’s sick of paying close to $40 every week to fill up the gas tank of her car.
-
More help needed for Day of Caring
Forget Uncle Sam for a moment — Cheryl Graham wants you.
-
Mayor urges action on emergency dispatch merger
Kokomo Mayor Greg Goodnight was brief Wednesday when asked to assess the county’s progress on a proposed emergency dispatch consolidation.
-
Yates gets 165 years in prison in Rethlake murder
Even though Michael Yates was not one of the shooters in the April 5, 2008, double shooting that killed Abby Rethlake and injured her friend Morgan Vetter, he was sentenced the same as if he had pulled the trigger.
-
State rethinks plan for Ind. 22
Hold the phones, the state of Indiana won’t be yanking the traffic signal at Apperson Way and Markland Avenue after all.
-
In-car cameras an integral part of policing
Anyone who has ever watched “COPS” or saw last week’s incredible video of the Ohio teen launching his Camaro into a concrete bridge column understands the power of police video technology.
- More Local News Headlines
-
Jefferson Manner exec fired amid drug charge
