§ 1:305. Other travel.

(a)

Any employee, officer or other person duly authorized to travel on behalf of any unit, branch or agency of the city-parish government by bus, airplane or otherwise shall be reimbursed the exact cost of such fare or shall be furnished the necessary voucher or tickets to perform such travel. The city-parish shall pay transportation costs, no greater than tourist class air fare, for all individuals traveling. Also the cost of air life insurance at regular premium rates, in an amount not to exceed one hundred fifty thousand dollars ($150,000.00) of coverage, will be reimbursed.

Where travel is made by private automobile and is in excess of two hundred (200) miles round trip, payment shall be the lesser of direct route mileage to the destination at the authorized city-parish rate, or the equivalent tourist class air fare which would otherwise be payable if travel was by air. If travel involves a round trip distance less than two hundred (200) miles, reimbursement shall be made for direct route mileage at the authorized rate.

(b)

Where travel distance is greater than one hundred (100) miles round trip from the city-parish and overnight lodging is required, the employee is to be paid a per diem amount not to exceed forty-four dollars ($44.00) to cover all miscellaneous expenses. The individual may be paid a per diem rate less than forty-four dollars ($44.00) at the discretion of the immediate supervisor. If travel distance is greater than one hundred (100) miles round trip and overnight lodging is not required, an individual may be paid a maximum per diem rate of twenty-two dollars ($22.00) at the election of the supervisor. When the travel distance is less than one hundred (100) miles round trip from the city-parish, the individual will not be paid a per diem allowance nor will the city-parish pay for any lodging expense.

Miscellaneous expenses to be covered by a per diem allowance will normally include such costs as transportation after arriving at the hotel, tips, meals, laundry, personal telephone calls, and room service. Receipts for miscellaneous expenses need not be maintained unless required by the supervisor.

The maximum number of days for which per diem and lodging will be reimbursed without special justification is as follows:

(1)

Per diem: The number of days the individual was involved in business activities plus two (2) days; and

(2)

Lodging: The number of days the individual was involved in business activities plus one (1) day.

If an individual chooses to drive an automobile rather than fly, the number of days per diem and lodging which will be reimbursed shall not exceed the number which would have been reimbursed had the travel been made by air.

(c)

In addition to the per diem allowances, an individual will be reimbursed for certain other incurred expenses, only if they are properly receipted and documented. These expenses include:

(1)

Registration fees for a seminar, conference, etc.;

(2)

Hotel or motel accommodations not to exceed a double room rate;

(3)

Parking at the hotel or airport and transportation expense while traveling between the airport and hotel;

(4)

Mileage expense incurred if personal car is used for travel to and from the airport;

(5)

Telephone calls if business related;

(6)

Rental vehicle and related expenses if it is the most economical means of providing transportation for business activities and information is submitted to substantiate this fact;

(7)

Special expenses specifically authorized by resolution.

(d)

The individual is expected to exercise the same care in incurring expenses that a prudent person would exercise if traveling on personal business. Each department or agency head and division managers are responsible for authorizing only such travel allowances as are justified by the specific circumstances of the travel and directly related to business purposes. All rates and expenses which are authorized must not conflict with reimbursable allowances and expenses as stated herein, unless special approval is granted by the director of finance.

(e)

For purposes of out-of-parish travel in excess of one hundred (100) miles round trip, the starting point of such travel shall be considered the city-parish governmental building. For travel involving less than one hundred (100) miles round trip, section 1:304 of the local travel rules will apply.

(City Code 1951, Title 1, § 305; Ord. No. 8921, § 3, 5-24-89)