Volusia County, FL - At the Volusia County Council (VCC) meeting on Thursday Council members discussed the approval of a proposed policy change regarding travel. The proposal was initially approved, but then the Council decided to postpone it for further discussion.
The April 6 meeting continued the topic brought up at the March 16 VCC meeting, in which the Council requested that staff draft a proposal for consideration for authorization of out-of-county travel by Council members.
Volusia CFO Donna de Peyster presented a resolution along with amended travel regulations that was crafted with the county attorney's office. Proposed regulation changes would require that when Council members travel overnight they get permission from the Council, with prior notice before they travel, with exception being made for Legislative sessions.
Included in the proposal were the following additional exceptions and guidelines: In the case of Legislative sessions requiring travel to Tallahassee, Council members would need to notify the county manager of travel for official county business. In the case of day trips, permission from the Council would not be required, just notification made to the county manager, unless already assigned to a board of which the Council has approved participation.
Assessment of new financial requirements of travel were also taken into consideration and updated to be in line with current IRS rates and in preparation for upcoming changes.
Council members discussed the need for transparency and to be cautious so as not to limit the Council's ability to conduct business when travel is necessary.
Volusia County Councilwoman Heather Post, who took a taxpayer-funded trip to Tallahassee March 5-7 without consulting the Council, defended her decision to take the trip, which she says was for county business. She also stated that she opposes getting permission from the county manager prior to traveling for council business.
"I don't see the benefit of us making an actual policy that says that we must notify the county manager, even on same day trips - provide him with advanced notice of where we are going and what we are doing. I can tell you that I have no idea where he goes and what he does. And he works under us. So that is just my stance. I am in agreement of a travel policy. I am not in agreement with that point. What I would ask, perhaps is - could we possibly look at five other counties that are equal to Volusia in population -whoever else, to see what their policies are? And see if that is the norm. I don't believe it is," said Post.
The next Volusia County Council meeting is April 20 at Thomas C. Kelly Administration Center
123 W. Indiana Ave., DeLand. For more information visit the Volusia County website here.
Photo courtesy of Khakimullin Aleksandr and Shutterstock.com
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