Sec. 10-242. - Permissible expenditures.
In addition to any compensation, payment, or reimbursement otherwise permitted by law, public funds may be used for payment or reimbursement of the following:
(a) Actual and necessary subsistence expenses incurred by persons engaged in authorized official city business which either requires (1) absence from the city for an overnight or longer period, or (2) absence from the city for a significant portion of a business day if the person travels by airplane. Subsistence expenses shall be in keeping with the official position of the person involved.
(b) Actual and necessary expenses incurred by elected and appointed officials, employees, or volunteers engaged in official city business, including attendance at educational workshops, conferences, training programs, official functions, hearings, or meetings, whether incurred within or outside the boundaries of the city when participation or attendance at the event has been approved by the department head, the mayor, or the city council president, as appropriate. Authorized events shall include one employee development day conducted each year by a department for the purpose of learning, planning, and department betterment and social receptions to promote legislation furthering the city's interests. Authorized expenses may include:
(1) Registration costs, tuition costs, fees, or charges;
(2) Mileage at the rate allowed by executive order or the actual travel expense if travel is authorized by commercial or charter means. The mayor may designate employees to receive a payment in lieu of a mileage rate, not to exceed $75.00 per person per month, and may impose a limit on travel reimbursement received by any employee for travel within the city. The city council president may exercise this authority with respect to employees of the city council or the office of the city clerk. Travel expenses shall be in keeping with the official position of the person involved; and
(3) Meals which are provided in conjunction with the event, whether or not the cost of the meal is included in registration or tuition costs.
(c) Nonalcoholic beverages and meals:
(1) Provided for individuals while performing or immediately after performing relief, assistance, or support activities in emergency situations, including, but not limited to, tornado, severe storm, fire, or accident;
(2) Provided for any volunteers during or immediately following their participation in any activity approved by the Home Rule Charter or the city council, including, but not limited to, serving on city boards or commissions, mowing parks, picking up litter, removing graffiti, or snow removal;
(3) Provided at one recognition dinner, retirement dinner, or similar reception each year for elected and appointed officials, employees, or volunteers of the city, when attendance and reimbursement has been approved by the mayor, president of the city council, or department director, as appropriate. The cost shall not exceed $50.00 per person being recognized. An annual dinner or gathering may be held separately for employees of each department or separately for volunteers, or any of them in combination.
(d) Plaques, certificates of achievement, or similar items of value awarded to recognize service by elected or appointed officials, employees, or volunteers, including persons serving on city boards or commissions; provided, however, that public funds may not be used to award more than one such item to any individual in a calendar year and the value of the item shall not exceed $150.00. These limitations shall not be amended or altered more than once in any 12-month period.
(e) Expenses for transporting persons or personal property or both in connection with city employment of persons whose initial employment by the city necessitates a temporary or permanent change of residence; provided, however, that payment or reimbursement shall be limited to the actual cost of transporting such persons or personal property or both based on common carrier rates which will result in the lowest cost to the city for the mode of transportation which is in keeping with the official position of the person employed and shall be approved by resolution in advance of incurring the expenses.
(f) Office supplies or other items of minimal value which cannot be efficiently purchased through regular purchasing procedures.
(g) Non-alcoholic beverages provided during a meeting or official function carrying out official city business which is attended by persons who are not officials or employees of the city.
(h) Non-alcoholic beverages provided by the mayor or city council and consumed by elected officials, employees, citizens or guests while attending a meeting or official function relating to city business.
(i) Actual and reasonable expenses for the inauguration of the mayor or city councilmembers. No more than $4,900.00 in public funds may be used for any inauguration, regardless of the number of persons taking office at that time.
(j) Beverages and meals provided by the Greater Omaha Convention and Visitors Bureau for guests, employees, and officials attending an official function carrying out the bureau's duties to promote, encourage, and attract visitors to the city.
(Ord. No. 34165, § 2, 4-22-97; Ord. No. 35957, § 1, 5-14-02; Ord. No. 41668, § 1, 12-11-18; Ord. No. 43456, § 1, 7-11-23)
