(1) Whenever it becomes necessary for an elective or appointive official or employee of the City to travel away from the City on official business, and it is found to be more advantageous and economical to the City that he or she travel by a privately owned automobile rather than by a common carrier, he or she shall be allowed a mileage rate equal to the standard mileage rate as indicated in the current Internal Revenue Service Publication No. 463. Otherwise, any such official or employee shall be allowed the cost for travel by the common carrier mode determined by the City Manager to be the most advantageous and economical to the City. Such costs shall be determined by the schedule for travel needed to complete the official business.

(2) Any such official or employee shall be allowed the costs associated with the travel including such items as food, lodging, auto rentals, etc. Food costs may be reimbursed based on reasonable actual receipts or a daily allowance. The daily allowance rate will be equal to the standard meal allowance or, as applicable, the higher standard meal allowance as indicated in the current Internal Revenue Service Publication No. 463. The schedule of reasonable actual costs will be determined by the City Manager and updated as necessary.

(3) Any such official or employee shall be reimbursed for such costs as are applicable to himself/herself only. The costs allowed to an employee shall be reimbursed provided he or she files the proper claim for expenses and submits the same to the City Manager or his designee. All claims are subject to the approval of the City Manager under such rules or regulations as he may prescribe. All claims should be supported by receipts or other satisfactory proof of cost. Failure to provide such may result in their denial by the City Manager. [Ord. 3166 § 1, 1996; Ord. 2816 § 1, 1991; Ord. 2761 § 1, 1989; Ord. 2044 § 1, 1979; Ord. 1669 § 1, 1974; Ord. 1583 § 1, 1973; Ord. 1306 § 61, 1968; Code 1970 § 2.42.470.]