2005-0223
INTRODUCED BY: 'RAM' RAMCHANDRAN, COUNCILMAN, DISTRICT III
RICHARD "DICKIE" DUHE, COUNCILMAN, DISTRICT VI
ORDINANCE NO. _________
title
An ordinance to modify the Travel regulations of the Parish and Council expense regulations, travel section to restrict the number of people attending conferences and seminars out of the Parish.
Body
WHEREAS, travel regulations are governed by the travel Regulations for Civil Service Employees and the Council's unclassified employees with the final revision dated July 15, 1999; and,
WHEREAS, Council Members are further regulated by Resolution No. 4424 passed by the Council dated September 22, 1997; and,
WHEREAS, Council Members are expected to furnish the Council with a preliminary and a final report regarding the travel which are not observed by all employees; and,
WHEREAS, attendance at the National Association of County Officials (NACo) Conference in July 2005 by several employees and Council Members in Honolulu Hawaii is questioned by the Constituents as unjustified; and,
WHEREAS, participation by elected County Officials to influence Congress in the legislative process is the goal of NACo and to contribute to the training of officials for public office has largely benefited St Charles Parish in the past; and,
WHEREAS, Council Members have held leadership roles in NACo and other Steering Committees of the organization resulting in direct benefit to the State and the Parish; and,
WHEREAS, the Parish President is to follow the Regulations at his discretion unless it is mandated by Parish law or ordinances to avoid civil service complaints.
THE ST. CHARLES PARISH COUNCIL HEREBY ORDAINS:
SECTION I. Travel section: Add: Selection criteria for attendance.
1. The number of Council Members attending any scheduled conferences will be limited to self regulated guidelines of even numbered District Council Members attending on even numbered calendar years and odd numbered District Council Members attending on odd numbered years.
2. Council Member-At-Large from East Bank and West Bank attending likewise even and odd calendar years and from East Bank on odd years and West Bank on even years.
3. The Parish President or his/her designee (limited to one person) attending all conferences at their discretion in keeping with his/her judgment of economic conditions of the Parish.
4. All other employees including Department Heads have to justify the attendance, with Council approval, by selecting the topics that are of benefit to their day-to-day work performance.
5. In lieu of preliminary report requirement, a Council resolution has to be passed authorizing attendance at these conferences at least four weeks in advance, listing the names of people attending the conference so that travel arrangements can be made in a timely and economical fashion. Any member holding organizational office shall have the Council authorization to attend meetings on a regular basis.
6. Any exception to this guideline also shall be covered by such a resolution.
7. Budgeted funding authorized by the Council for Employee training shall be used solely for training purposes to improve day-to-day work performance.
8. Attendance at any conference at their own expense is not prohibited. However expense incurred will be limited to reimbursement of registration fees and paid absence.
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED THAT WE, THE MEMBERS OF THE ST CHARLES PARISH COUNCIL, DO HEREBY amend the Parish Council expense Regulations Travel section to provide for restrictions on number of people attending conferences on Parish expense.
Vote
The foregoing ordinance having been submitted to a vote, the vote thereon was as follows:
And the ordinance was declared adopted this day of , 2005, to become effective five (5) days after publication in the Official Journal.
Amend Travel Regs. 2005
CHAIRMAN:______________________________________________
SECRETARY:_____________________________________________
DLVD/PARISH PRESIDENT:_________________________________
APPROVED:______________ DISAPPROVED:__________________
PARISH PRESIDENT:______________________________________
RETD/SECRETARY:_______________________________________
AT:_______________RECD BY: _____________________________