161.24 FRINGE BENEFIT ENTITLEMENT.

   (a)   No form of compensation or employment benefit, regardless of type, kind or nature, shall be extended to any employee or office holder without prior legislative authorization as set forth within this chapter, a collectively bargained contract or the prevailing salary ordinance.

   (b)   No City owned vehicle may be used by any office holder or employee for personal commuting transportation to and from employment and the employee’s residence, without express legislative authorization. The current Chiefs in the Division of Fire and Police and Assistant/Deputy Chiefs shall be assigned a City-owned and equipped vehicle for their use for official City business for the purpose of improved efficiency and effectiveness of the respective Departments. By the nature of their respective positions, these employees are required to be on all at all times. Due to the criteria of disaster incident command, and the critical need to provide emergency response to situations occurring in the City, such assigned vehicles shall be used for personal commuting between the residence and workplace. All personal use of said vehicles, other than commuting between the residence and the workplace, is prohibited. Canine unit handlers shall be assigned city-owned and equipped vehicles as part of their responsibilities including transportation of canines to and from the handler’s residence to assigned work areas, veterinarian appointments, training and integration of canines into the handler’s family unit.

   (c)   If doubt exists as to an employee’s entitlement to a benefit, that doubt shall be resolved as to the employee not being so entitled to the claimed benefit.

   (d)   Any official or employee of this City who receives a benefit to which that person is not expressly entitled by legislative authority shall be liable to the City for repayment of the full value thereof. Repayment may be accomplished by payroll deduction, and if that is not possible or the employee disputes the liability, the matter shall be referred to the City Attorney for appropriate action as may be deemed necessary.

(Ord. 008-2022. Passed 4-5-22.)