SOUTHAVEN, MS (abc24.com) - More changes are coming for the city of Southaven. Next week the board of aldermen is expected to approve changes to the city's travel policy.
That policy has been questioned since the state investigation into Mayor Greg Davis. The changes could end up saving taxpayers money.
The board has essentially been following a new policy since last April. Now the city is making the changes official. They include more record keeping, checks and safeguards.
"We're going from one paragraph to a page and a half," says Mayor Greg Davis. "There are some more rules and regulations dealing with mileage reimbursements, with per diems. We're going with the state reimbursement rate versus federal reimbursements."
It's a significant change, as the state rate is half the federal rate. Paying less should save money.
"There's quite a difference in reimbursement rates," Davis says. "Unfortunately we can't reimburse at the federal rate, that's what we'd done for years."
"It ranges any where from 31-46 dollars a day based on what part of the country you're in," says Alderman Ronnie Hale.
City officials will be required to keep documentation for everything with explanations.
"We'll require more info on receipts," Hale says, which would include "the purpose of meeting or dinner."
"There's been a lot of questions about my travel in the past," adds Davis. "It's a little more strenuous, but not impossible."
All receipts must still go to the city clerk, and then put on the board of aldermen's docket for approval. If the policy passes Tuesday, it will become part of the city's handbook.
