(A) The county may pay for training and development classes for its employees in an effort to enhance their professional and personal growth, and to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the county’s programs and operations.
(B) Requests for training must be made in advance and approved by the Judge/Executive. The county’s ability to provide for training will depend upon the availability of funds. The assistance will be determined annually on an individual basis, and in a consistent and fair manner.
(C) Employees will be reimbursed for pre-authorized travel expenses incurred in the performance of their work, but not for commuting to and from the workplace. Any costs incurred should be the most economically consistent with the county’s best interest.
(1) Any employee of the county incurring expenses for prior approved county related business shall be reimbursed as follows.
(a) Official travel in privately owned vehicles shall be reimbursed at the rate currently paid by the commonwealth to state employees for use of their private vehicle.
(b) Air travel shall not be first class unless other rates are unavailable. Under reasonable circumstances, or for necessary expediency, the Judge/Executive may authorize other travel means.
(c) Lodging shall be reimbursable at the actual expense. Receipts must be provided for all lodging.
(d) Conference and registration fees shall be approved in advance by the Judge/Executive, and may be prepaid when necessary and appropriate.
(e) Use of rental vehicles must be approved in advance, or justification provided that shows the use of the vehicle was more feasible than other types of available transportation.
(f) An employee shall be reimbursed for meals at the following rates if the employee’s travel requires overnight stay, or if travel outside the county is required during specified hours, as follows.
1. Breakfast: travel must begin prior to 6:30 a.m. and continue through 9:00 a.m.
2. Lunch: travel must begin prior to 11:00 a.m. and continue through 2:00 p.m.
3. Dinner: travel must begin prior to 5:00 p.m. and continue through 9:00 p.m.
4. Allowances for meals are as follows:
a. Breakfast: $6;
b. Lunch: $7; and
c. Dinner: $14.
5. No reimbursement shall be allowed if a meal is included as part of a registration fee, or provided without charge. The Fiscal Court or appropriate constitutional officer may authorize reimbursement at rates higher than the amount specified in this policy if it is determined that the location of the employee’s travel results in unavoidable meal expenses which exceed the allowed reimbursement.
(g) Telephone calls for the purpose of county business are reimbursable at the actual rate.
(h) Other necessary expenses that were unforeseeable prior to travel may be approved by the Judge/Executive upon presentation of documentation of the need for the expense.
(2) Receipts for all expenditures shall be obtained and attached to the request for reimbursement, which must be completed and submitted within 30 days of the expense being incurred. All requests for reimbursement shall be signed by the supervisor.
(2001 Code, § 31.116) (Ord. passed 1-14-2000)