City Council will wait on adopting policy governing their own expenses

February 06, 2002
Santa Paula News

The City Council will wait on adopting a policy governing their own expenses after discussion on the proposed document failed to bring closure at the Jan. 22 meeting.

By Peggy KellySanta Paula TimesThe City Council will wait on adopting a policy governing their own expenses after discussion on the proposed document failed to bring closure at the Jan. 22 meeting.“This is a very difficult item to try to put together,” said Glenda Jay, interim finance director. “. . .I didn’t know what to say, to tell the truth so I borrowed from another city.”Changing the draft policy is the responsibility of the council, she added.The council authorized $12,500 in the 2001-2002 fiscal budget to cover expenses ranging from travel to training as well as incidental expenses.Vice Mayor Laura Flores Espinosa said portions of the draft policy should be changed although the opening paragraphs do a good job of explaining basics. “ . . .we can broaden it out as we go along. . .”Communication costs related to interpretive services at council request should be examined for inclusion, she noted, and the paragraph dealing with expenses related to official duties should be refined.
“It leaves open what official means,” as relating to duties and as an official representative of the city, Espinosa said.Mayor Ray Luna asked about specific community events and City Attorney Phil Romney noted such events would be included if a council member is invited specifically as a representative of the city.Other aspects of the draft policy, such as refundable expenses and who would pay the costs if a council member had to cancel attendance at an event due to special circumstances - such as the California League of Cities Conference Sept. 12 time line which was pushed back to December after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks - were also addressed.Espinosa noted that portions of the draft policy had not been a problem for council members in the past and, “If it isn’t broken, why fix it?”Luna suggested that the council further study the draft policy, “take it home and work on our own comments. . .”“It doesn’t matter to me; I’m against it anyway,” said Councilman Rick Cook.The council agreed to study the draft council expenses policy and add more input at a later time.



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