(a) Purpose. The primary purpose of this policy is to establish fundamental rules for the use of City issued cell phones, city phones and personal cell phones. The use of a cell phone while driving presents a hazard to the driver, other employees and the general public. This policy is meant to ensure the safe operation of City vehicles and equipment and the operation of private vehicles and equipment while an employee is on work time and conducting City business.
(b) Statement of Policy.
(1) Personal telephone calls are to be kept to a minimum. City issued cell phones generally are to be used only for City business. Employees may not use cell phones to conduct business for others or themselves.
(2) Employees assigned a city issued cell phone shall, during business hours have the phone fully charged, turned on and with them.
(3) No phones are to be used for illegal activities.
(4) All employees are required to keep a daily log of long distance calls made from city phones. These logs are to be turned in to the Finance Department at the end of the month, at which time they will be checked off against the records of the telephone company.
**Definition of Long Distance: is defined as any call that creates a charge in addition to the basic charges for phone service.
(5) Unless otherwise authorized, City provided cell phones must be used only for business purposes. In addition, employees should use a City provided cell phone only when a less costly alternative does not exist, e.g. Check phone voice mail from a land line.
(6) Employees must reimburse the City the cost of any personal use of a city phone or personal use of a City issued cell phone.
(7) Cell phones and accessories (e.g., battery chargers) remain City property. To the extent permitted by applicable law, employees will be responsible for lost or stolen cell phones, etc. belonging to the City. Employees must immediately report lost, stolen, damaged, or malfunctioning cell phones to the Finance Director.
(8) Employees are prohibited from using cell phones while driving or operating equipment. Should an employee need to make a city business call while driving, he/she should locate a lawfully designated area to park and make the call.
(9) Generally, confidential information is not to be discussed over cell phones.
(10) Violation of this policy will subject an employee to disciplinary action up to and including dismissal.
(Ord. 25-2012. Passed 4-10-12.)