BOARD MEETING DATE: September 9, 2005
AGENDA NO. 10

Adopt Resolution Amending Expense Reimbursement Limit for Hearing Board Members and Alternates

SYNOPSIS:

Members of the Hearing Board and their alternates receive reimbursement for travel, meal, and lodging expenses incurred in the performance of their duties up to an annual limit. The current expense limit of $4,000 has not been adjusted since 1995. This action recommends adjustment to $5,500 per year of the expense limit in recognition of the significant increase in travel, meal, and lodging costs that have occurred over the past decade. The approximate cost of this adjustment for FY 2005-06 is $6,250.

COMMITTEE:

Administrative, July 15, 2005, Recommended for Approval

RECOMMENDED ACTION:

Adopt the attached Resolution increasing to $5,500, the annual per-person limit for reimbursement of travel, meal, and lodging expenses incurred in the performance of official duties for members of the Hearing Board and their alternates beginning with calendar year 2005.

Barry R. Wallerstein, D.Env.
Executive Officer

Background

On June 9, 1995, the Board established an annual limit of $4,000 for the reimbursement of travel, meal, and lodging expenses incurred in the performance of their duties by individual Hearing Board members and their alternates. Since that date, the Internal Revenue Service mileage reimbursement rate has increased over 40% and there have been increases, as well, in the cost of meals and lodging.

Proposal

To ensure members of the Hearing Board and their alternates receive appropriate reimbursement for expenses incurred in performing their service, staff recommends the maximum annual per-person limit for expense reimbursement be increased to $5,500 beginning with calendar year 2005.

Fiscal Impact

Sufficient funds are available in the approved FY 2005-06 Budget to cover the approximate $6,250 cost of this recommendation.

Attachment

Resolution

ATTACHMENT

RESOLUTION NO. 05-

                    A Resolution of the South Coast Air Quality Management District (AQMD) Governing Board modifying the annual limit for reimbursement of expenses for travel, meals, and lodging for members and alternate members of the AQMD Hearing Board.

                    WHEREAS the AQMD Governing Board finds it appropriate to modify the annual limit for reimbursement of expenses for travel, meals, and lodging for members and alternate members of the AQMD Hearing Board.

                    NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the AQMD Governing Board does hereby amend the annual limit that Members and Alternate Members of the AQMD Hearing Board may receive as reimbursement for travel, meals, and lodging as prescribed by AQMD’s Administrative Code when performing their official functions or attending approved conferences, to the amount of $5,500 per person per year.

_____________________________     ______________________________
Date                                                                       Clerk of the Board

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