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Inyo supervisors adopt countywide CalCard policy to formalize credit-card controls
Summary
The board approved a new CalCard policy to replace legacy Bank of America cards, centralize limits, and set procedures for issuance, monitoring and discipline for misuse.
The Inyo County Board of Supervisors voted April 8 to adopt a countywide CalCard policy establishing controls, user responsibilities and procedures for county-issued credit cards.
Auditor-Controller Amy Shepherd presented the policy, saying the county moved from Bank of America cards to the state’s CalCard program after the bank required Social Security numbers in 2019 and limited county card issuance. Shepherd said CalCard is designed for government agencies and gives the county a single countywide limit with the ability to set per-card and per-transaction limits.
Shepherd described multiple uses for cards beyond travel: monthly subscription fees, conference registration, emergency purchases and vendors that will not accept purchase orders. She said the policy was developed with input from the CAO’s office, county counsel, personnel and department reviewers and that staff will implement the policy by collecting user agreements, providing training and structuring issuance according to departmental needs.
Supervisor Griffith asked whether suspension or termination referenced in the policy meant employment action or restriction of card use; Shepherd replied it could be both and that personnel would determine appropriate discipline.
Board members praised the policy as thorough. One supervisor noted technical inconsistencies in a billing-cycle description in the quick guide and staff clarified that “the statement closes on the 25th; everything posts on the 26th or the next business day.” Another asked about use by out-of-area vendors and staff discussed handling such transactions.
Supervisor Orel moved to approve the CalCard policy and the board voted in favor; members responded “Aye” and the motion passed.
Why it matters: The policy sets countywide controls for credit-card use, defines disciplinary steps for misuse and gives departments flexibility to set limits appropriate to operational needs, officials said.
What’s next: Implementation steps include getting signed user agreements for existing cardholders, user training, department-level planning for issuance and ongoing monitoring by Auditor-Controller staff.
