163.64 ACQUISITION AND USE OF CELLULAR TELEPHONES POLICY.

   The City of Youngstown [COY] issued cellular telephones are intended for official business use only. Personal calls made or received on a COY issued cellular telephone are only

acceptable in Emergency situations or with prior supervisory knowledge and approval.

   (a)   Cellular Telephones Assignment and Use: Cellular telephones shall be issued only to those Employees with a demonstrated need for this type of communication. Cellular telephones shall be requested only by Supervisors and/or Department Heads within their individual departments. Unless justified, Employees shall be issued cellular telephones with only the basic features and minutes necessary to cover the needs of the position of the Employee. Extra charges for voicemail, text messaging, and data plans must be shown to be justified.

   (b)   Cellular Telephones Rules of Use: Employees who are issued a COY cellular telephone agree to the following Rules of Use:

      (1)   Charges for equipment purchases must be authorized and signed off by the Supervisor and Department Head. Employees must safeguard all cellular telephone equipment in their possession.

      (2)   Lost, stolen, or damaged cellular telephones and/or equipment shall be immediately reported to the Employee's Supervisor and/or Department Head. If theft is suspected, the police should also be notified immediately and a report made. If the loss or damage is due to carelessness on the part of the Employee, the equipment must be replaced or repaired at the Employee's expense.

      (3)   Employees should not use the cellular phone while driving. Unless utilizing a 'hands free' speakerphone option, Employees should stop their vehicle as soon as safely possible to use cellular telephones.

      (4)   Employees shall limit all cellular calls to no more than 15 minutes. Calls over the 15-minute limit shall be documented and justification will be required.

      (5)   Employees must identify and reimburse the City for any costs associated with Emergency personal use of COY issued cellular telephones.

      (6)   When an Employee no longer has a demonstrated need for the cellular telephone, or when the employee terminates employment with COY, that Employee shall immediately return all cellular telephone equipment to the Department.

      (7)   It is the Employee's responsibility to understand the features and conditions of his/her particular plan. The employee will be required to reimburse the City of Youngstown for overages that may occur unless a documented emergency necessitated the usage of uncovered charges. Costs that are associated with excessive and/or personal costs that are not reimbursed by the Employee may be considered theft and will result in appropriate corrective action.

      (8)   Repeated non-compliance with this policy and failure to remain within allotted minutes, costs, etc. shall result in progressive discipline and may result in loss of cellular equipment.

      (9)   The City retains the right to review, audit and/or monitor cell phone use at any time and notify the Employee's Department Head/Supervisor of any misuse, abuse or policy violation.

      (10)   Any failure by the City to discipline employees for prior violations of this Policy shall not constitute a waiver of its right to impose discipline for subsequent violations.

         (Ord. 15-19. Passed 2-4-15.)