7211-03
ORDINANCE NO. 7211-03
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF CLEARWATER, FLORIDA,
RELATING TO OFFICIAL TRAVEL; AMENDING SECTIONS
2.322, 2.325, 3.328, 2.329 AND 2.332 AMENDING THE RATES
OF SUBSISTENCE ALLOWANCE; AND PROVIDING FOR
CERTAIN OTHER MATTERS IN CONNECTION THEREWITH;
PROVIDING FOR EXEMPTION FROM FLORIDA STATUTES
SECTION 112.061; AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
WHEREAS, the cost to travel on official business has increased; and
WHEREAS, the City of Clearwater, Florida wishes to reimburse
authorized travelers for the cost of official business travel in a manner consistent
with current pricing; and
WHEREAS, the Florida Legislature in Laws of Florida Chapter 2003-125
has authorized local governments to exempt themselves from the provisions of
Florida Statutes Section 112.061 (2003) and to adopt their own policies
regarding the per diem and travel expenses of their travelers; now therefore,
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF
CLEARWATER, FLORIDA;
Section 1. Sections 2.322, 2.325, 3.328, 2.329 and 2.332 of the Code of
Ordinances, City of Clearwater, Florida, are hereby amended to read as follows:
Sec. 2.322. Authority to incur travel expense.
(1) All travel must be authorized and approved by the city manager and the head
of the agency from 'Nhose funds the travel expense is paid or desiqnee.
(2) Travel expense shall be limited to those expenses necessarily incurred in the
performance of a public purpose authorized by law to be performed by the
agency and must be within the limitations prescribed by this section.
(3) Travel expense of public employees for the sole purpose of taking merit
system or other job placement examinations, written or oral, shall not be allowed
under any circumstances, except that upon prior written approval of the agency
Reaa city manaqer or desiqnee, candidates for executive or professional
positions may be allowed such travel expense pursuant to this section.
Sec. 2.325. Rates of subsistence allowance.
(a) Subsistence. All travelers may be allowed subsistence when performing
authorized travel requiring absence from the official headquarters overnight, in
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amounts equal to the amounts permitted by F.S. ~ 112.061(6), 3t the per diem
rate or, if actu31 expenses exceed the per diem rate, the amounts permitted for
meals and incidental expenses (M&IE). plus actual expenses for lodging at a
single occupancy rate, to be substanti3ted by paid bills therefor. Meals and
incidental expenses shall be reimbursed at the General Services Administration
(GSA) rates for M&IE. which are inclusive of meals, taxes. and tips for meals,
baqqaqe carriers, hotel maids.
(b) Meals only. All travelers may be allowed subsistence while on authorized
travel outside the official headquarters but not requiring absence from the offici31
headquarters overnight, in amounts permitted for meals, as specified in the GSA
breakdown of the M&IE equal to the amounts permitted by F.S. ~ 112.061 (6).
(c) Partial day meal and incidental reimbursement. When authorized travel
includes one or more partial days, the traveler shall be reimbursed for the partial
days in the portion of the M&IE daily amount as determined throuqh the GSA
breakdown schedule. The breakdown includes the followinq cateqories:
Breakfast: When travel beqins before 6:00 a.m. and extends beyond 8:00
a.m.
Lunch: When travel beqins before 12:00 noon and extends beyond 2:00
2..:!!!..:.
Dinner: When travel beqins before 6:00 p.m. and extends beyond 8:00
2..:!!!..:.
Incidental: When travel is overniqht.
f61JQLReimbursement. No traveler shall be reimbursed for any meal or lodging
included in a convention or conference fee or otherwise paid by the city.
Sec. 2.328. Use of privately owned vehicles.
* * * * *
(3) Monthly private auto allowance may be given to employees under certain
circumstances. Such allO\Nances may be submitted for approval by the
department director in the norm31 budget process. Employees receiving private
auto allO'.vance shall keep records justifying the receipt of these funds. These
records '::ill be released to the department or city manager upon request.
Sec. 2.329. Reimbursable incidental traveling expenses.
The following additional incidental traveling expenses of the traveler may be
reimbursed:
(1) Taxi fare;
(2) Ferry fares and tolls for bridges, roads and tunnels;
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(3) Storage or parking fees;
(4) Communication expense, includinq up to $2.50 per day for personal phone
calls when on official travel overniqht;
(5) Gratuities. with the exception of qratuities for meals. baqqaqe carriers. and
hotel maids. which are included in the M&IE reimbursement.
Sec. 2.332. Fraudulent claims.
Any claim authorized will contain a statement that the expenses were actually
incurred by the traveler as necessary traveling expenses in the performance of
his official duties and shall be verified by a written declaration that the statement
is true and correct as to every material matter. Any person who willfully makes
and subscribes any such claim which he does not believe to be true and correct
as to every material matter, or who willfully aids or assists in, procures, counsels
or advises the preparation or presentation under the provisions of this section of
a claim which is fraudulent or is false as to any material matter, whether or not
such falsity or fraud is with the knowledge or consent of the person authorized or
required to present such claims, commits a misdemeanor of the second deqree.
punishable as provided in Florida Statues 775.082 or 775.083 and shall be
punished accordingly. Any person receiving an allowance or reimbursement by
means of a false claim shall also be civilly liable in the amount of the
overpayment made thereby.
Section 2. To the extent that the provisions of this Ordinance differ from the
provisions set forth in Florida Statutes Section 112.061, they shall be considered
an exemption from said statutory provisions pursuant to Laws of Florida Chapter
2003-125.
Section 3. This ordinance shall take effect immediately upon adoption.
PASSED ON FIRST READING
October 2. 2001
PASSED ON SECOND AND FINAL
READING AND ADOPTED
Approved as to form:
Attest:
- ~.
Leslie K. Dougall-Si e
Assistant City Attorney
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Ordinance No. 7211-03