The goal of the Village’s Cell Phone Policy is to ensure fiscal control and accountability for the cell phones issued in the name of the Village of Sebring. This policy has been developed to ensure that users of these cell phones understand their responsibilities and proper use.
(a) Purposes and Uses. The Village has obtained cell phones for designated Village employees and/or departments. These cell phones were obtained to provide communication for the Village business and for emergency communication only. Unauthorized calls or use billed to the Village will be the responsibility of the person to whom the cell phone is issued to; and may result in disciplinary action.
(b) Issuance of Cell Phones. The Village Manager will designate Village employees to whom cell phones shall be issued. The Village Manager will allocate a cell phone to the designated Village employee. The Village employee will be required to sign a receipt for the cell phone and a copy of this policy.
(c) Return of Cell Phone. Individuals receiving a Village cell phone shall return the cell phone to the Village Manager in the same working condition it was received when the Village Manager requests the return of the cell phone. If an individual fails to return the cell phone to the Village Manager, the Village Manager will report the cell phone lost, destroyed or stolen as appropriate. If an individual fails to return a cell phone as agreed, the individual may be held responsible for all charges incurred after the cell phone was reported lost, damaged or stolen, as well as all charges incurred by the Village related to the cancellation of the cell phone.
(d) Lost, Damaged or Stolen Cell Phones. If a Village employee loses a cell phone, has come to believe the cell phone is damaged or destroyed, or believes the cell phone was stolen, the employee must report the same immediately to the Village Manager.
(e) Payment of Bills.
(1) The Sebring Finance Department will receive the cell phone bills as set by the cell phone service. If personal calls, unapproved charges or other improper charges are identified on the bill, a statement indicating these charges and the amounts will be prepared and forwarded to the designated employee. Payments of the amounts indicated must be made within ten days.
(2) As a condition of receiving a cell phone, the individual using the cell phone agrees to reimburse the Village of Sebring for all personal calls, unapproved charges, or other improper charges as determined above. Failure to reimburse the Village may subject the individual to additional charges for interest expense incurred by the Village.
(f) Violations. The Village reserves the right to use all legal means available to collect amounts due the Village pursuant to this policy. Individuals failing to make this reimbursement or otherwise abide by this policy, will be reported to their department head and the Village Manager for disciplinary action, and possible legal action.
(Ord. 22-06. Passed 5-22-06.)