County drafts expanded travel-and-allowable-expense policy; commissioners to place it on agenda

County staff presented a reorganized and expanded travel policy that combines travel rules and allowable-expense guidance in a single document. The revision—prepared with input from affected departments and legal review—would replace an older, shorter travel-only policy.

Kaylee (human resources/administration staff) said the draft borrows from other counties’ templates (notably Kitsap County) and that staff worked with departments expected to be most affected. She said legal reviewed the draft and cleared it several weeks ago. The proposed policy expands guidance on allowable expenses, addresses modern transportation options such as rideshare services, and adds explicit guidance for occasional events such as retirement parties that had not been covered previously.

Commissioner Dahl said she had no concerns and supported placing the draft on the agenda for formal approval next week. Staff said the item would be added to next week’s agenda for consideration.

No formal adoption occurred at the briefing; staff requested direction to place the policy on a subsequent agenda for approval.