TITLE
Recommendation to adopt Expense Reimbursement Policy in accordance with California Government Code Section 53232; and direct all City of Long Beach Boards, Agencies, and Commissions to adopt and immediately comply with the requirements of this Policy.
DISCUSSION
On October 7, 2005, the Governor signed AB1234 requiring all local agencies to
publicly adopt a written policy concerning occurrences that qualify a member to receive
reimbursement of expenses for travel, meals, and lodging. Further, this bill imposes
specific requirements relating to travel, public reporting, and conference expenses.
This bill applies to all bodies subject to the Brown Act, including the Mayor and City
Council, Harbor Commission, Water Commission, Civil Service Commission, and
Redevelopment Agency. Therefore, each agency must adopt a written policy, which
conforms to the law.
REQUIRED POLICY POINTS
The new law requires the following bullets to be included in the policy. (“Agency” refers
to the Mayor, City Council and all City of Long Beach Boards and Commissions):
9 City Council must publicly adopt a reimbursement policy, which thereafter will be
adopted by all other City Boards and Commissions.
> The Policy “must specify the types of occurrences that qualify a member ... to
receive reimbursement of expenses relating to travel, meals, lodging, and other
actual and necessary expenses.”
> Conference lodging may not exceed the maximum group rate published by the
conference. If the group rate is not available, the member shall use comparable
lodging.
9 All expenses that do not fall within the adopted travel policy shall be approved by
the Agency, in a public meeting before the expense is incurred, except for certain
conference expenses.
9 The Agency must establish a reasonable time frame for members to submit
expense reimbursement reports.
9 Member expense reports shall be accompanied by receipts documenting each
.expense
P Members shall provide brief reports on meetings attended a...
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