Report 2011-131 Recommendation 22 Responses
Report 2011-131: City of Vernon: Although Reform Is Ongoing, Past Poor Decision Making Threatens Its Financial Stability (Release Date: June 2012)
Recommendation #22 To: Vernon, City of
To improve its internal controls, better control costs, and prevent abuse from occurring, the city should revise its travel and expense reimbursement policy to be clear about the expenditure limits for meals, and add a limit for lodging accommodations.
Annual Follow-Up Agency Response From July 2014
The City has updated its Expense Reimbursement Policy twice, once in October 2013 and again in December 2013. Section XII of the current policy, adopted December 17, 2013 via Resolution No. 2013-100, sets forth the expenditure limits for meals based on the lowest IRS standard rate. Section XIII sets forth the expenditure limits for lodging based on the maximum group rate (if for a conference), the government rate, or the IRS rate for the given area.
- Completion Date: December 2013
California State Auditor's Assessment of Annual Follow-Up Status: Fully Implemented
1-Year Agency Response
By the August 20, 2013 City Council meeting, the Finance Director will prepare and present for City Council adoption, an amendment to the City of Vernon Travel and Expense Reimbursement Policy (Resolution No. 2011-187), to provide greater clarity and enhance provisions regarding meal and hotel costs, and ensure that the City's guidelines are consistent with those of the Federal Government.
- Estimated Completion Date: August 20, 2013
- Response Date: July 2013
California State Auditor's Assessment of 1-Year Status: No Action Taken
6-Month Agency Response
The city indicates that by July 2013, the finance director will prepare and present for city council adoption, an amendment to the city's travel and expense reimbursement policy to provide greater clarity and enhance provisions regarding meal and hotel costs, and ensure the city's guidelines are consistent with those of the federal government.
- Response Date: January 2013
California State Auditor's Assessment of 6-Month Status: No Action Taken
60-Day Agency Response
The city did not address this recommendation in its August 2012 response. (See 2013-406, p. 194)
- Response Date: August 2012
California State Auditor's Assessment of 60-Day Status: No Action Taken
All Recommendations in 2011-131
Agency responses received after June 2013 are posted verbatim.