The Plymouth City Council members considered additional readings of an ordinance that outlines the allowance for meals and miles for city employees and officials.
Clerk-Treasurer Jeanine Xaver explained last week that the city could save money by observing the state’s rate for mileage reimbursement instead of the federal rate. The state reimbursement rate is $.38 a mile while the federal rate is $.58 a mile.
“I firmly believe that we are elected to be stewards of funds entrusted to us by our constituents,” commented Xaver. “To do so efficiently and effectively, we need to start finding areas to trim our spending. This is an easy way to do it and it effects four employees.”
She mentioned that she discussed the matter with City Attorney Sean Surrisi and Mayor Mark Senter prior to budget discussions on mileage.
On the matter of meal allowances, Xaver said $26.00 is allotted per day. At most conferences, breakfast and lunch are provided which means an employee or official could spend $26.00 at dinnertime. The proposed change breaks up that allotment. The individual could spend up to $6.00 for breakfast, up to $10.00 for lunch, and up to $10.00 for dinner.
Councilman Don Ecker Jr. commented that conferences take the employee or official away from their families during dinnertime and they should be allowed to spend $26.00 on a nicer dinner. Xaver countered by saying that they can spend what they want for dinner, but it would be more economical if the city only reimburse $10 for dinner. Councilman Jeff Houin voiced support of the change as did Councilman Gary Cook.
Police Chief David Bacon, whose department is affected, provided insight into the proposed change.
“At the Law Enforcement Academy, when we send an officer down now, they serve breakfast and lunch, so the officer goes out in the evening,” stated Chief Bacon. “Under the old way, they could go out and spend $26.00 for dinner. They’re not going to do that at home. Besides the fact, if I paid an officer for 15 weeks for $26.00 a day for dinner, my training budget would be gone. This just makes it a little more fair.”
In the end, the second and third readings were approved with only Councilman Don Ecker, Jr. opposed to both readings.
