Ordinance 17-005 Travel Policies CITY OF SPOKANE VALLEY
SPOKANE COUNTY,WASHINGTON
ORDINANCE NO, 17-005
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF SPOKANE VALLEY, SPOKANE COUNTY,
WASHINGTON, AMENDING THE SPOKANE VALLEY MUNICIPAL CODE 2.50.120
RELATING TO ESTABLISHING TRAVEL POLICIES AND PROCEDURES, AND OTHER
MATTERS RELATING THERETO.
WHEREAS, the City adopted Spokane Valley Municipal Code 2.50.120 in 2003 before the City
officially incorporated. It contemplated that the City Council Finance Committee would develop and adopt
policies and procedures for travel and reimbursement of Councilmembers and staff for expenditures
incurred while on official City business; and
WHEREAS,the provisions in SVMC 2.50.120 provide general guidance regarding the broad types
of considerations that should be given to travel policies and expense reimbursement, but do not contain
specific information necessary for staff or Councilmembers to effectively use it;and
WHEREAS,the City Council's Governance Manual, section 5(B)(1)(c)contains the same general
outline for travel and reimbursement as is contained in SVMC 2.50.120. Prior to 2017, the City Council
had not formally adopted a policy and procedure addressing this; and
WHEREAS, on February 7, 2017, the City Council adopted by motion interim expense
reimbursement policies applicable to the City Council in contemplation of adopting them into the
Governance Manual in the near future; and
WHEREAS, pursuant to RCW 35A.13.080, the powers and duties of the City Manager shall
include"(1) [t]o have general supervision over the administrative affairs of the code city;"and
WHEREAS, pursuant to the City Manager's administrative authority, the City Manager has
previously adopted administrative policies and procedures to guide and direct staff on City-related travel
and expenditures, including specific guidelines for seeking reimbursement; and
WHEREAS, the Council desires to amend SVMC 2.50.120 to provide a general directive to the
Council to adopt and maintain expense reimbursement provisions into its Governance Manual,and to direct
the City Manager to adopt, maintain, and enforce appropriate expense reimbursement policies and
procedures applicable to staff.
NOW, THEREFORE, the City Council of the City of Spokane Valley, Washington ordains as
follows:
Section 1, Amendment. Spokane Valley Municipal Code 2.50.120 is hereby amended as
follows:
2.50.120 Adopting travel and expense reimbursement policies and procedures.
A. The City Council shall adopt into the Governance Manual by separate resolution, policies and
procedures that ensure that Councilmembers have appropriate guidance for seeking reimbursement
for expenditures they may make while conducting City business, including travel. Such policies
and procedures shall be consistent with accepted accounting principles,and consistent with the City
Council's role in overseeing expenditures of public funds.
Ordinance 17-005 Amending SVMC 2.50.120 Page 1 of 2
B. The City Manager shall adopt and maintain policies and procedures that ensure that staff
members have appropriate guidance for seeking reimbursement for expenditures they may make
while conducting City business, including travel. Such policies and procedures shall be consistent
with accepted accounting principles.
Section 2. Severability. If any section, sentence, clause or phrase of this Ordinance is held to
be invalid or unconstitutional by a court of competent jurisdiction, such invalidity or unconstitutionality shall
not affect the validity or constitutionality of any other section,sentence,clause or phrase of this Ordinance.
Section 3, Effective Date. This Ordinance shall be in full force and effect five days after date
of publication of this Ordinance or a summary thereof in the official newspaper of the City.
PASSED by the City Council of the City of Spokane Valley this 28th day of March,2017.
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L.R. Higgins,Mayor
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Christine Bainbridge, City Clerk
Approved as • orm:
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Offic o the City on -y
Date of Publication: - 3/ ",261/.7
Effective Date: -,;20/2
Ordinance 17-005 Amending SVMC 2.50.120 Page 2 of 2