Council adopts city brand guidelines and updates travel and expense policies

The Monroe City Council approved a new set of brand guidelines and two finance-policy updates that clarify travel and business-expense reimbursement.

Administrator Knight presented resolution 2025-008 to adopt the City of Monroe’s brand guidelines aligned with the city vision, Imagine Monroe. Knight said the branding effort was the product of community engagement and staff input and that the rollout will be phased: electronic items first (signatures, social media, website), then printed materials as supplies are depleted (brochures, envelopes, utility billing), and lastly higher-cost items such as vehicle decals over several years. Councilmember Beaumont moved to adopt the brand guidelines resolution and Councilmember Hanford seconded; the motion passed 7–0.

Knight then presented two finance-policy updates. Resolution 2025-005 repealed and replaced the city’s travel policy (previously adopted in 2024) to clarify items such as paying for up to two dinners at the annual Association of Washington Cities legislative conference and allowable shared transportation between locations. Knight said edits reflected staff review and advice from the city attorney. At a councilmember’s question about scooters, Knight relayed a recommendation from the city’s insurance pool that city representatives not use dockless electric scooters for reimbursable travel because of the injury risk. Councilmember Beaumont moved to adopt the travel policy update and Councilmember Walker seconded; the motion passed 7–0.

Councilmember Beaumont then moved to adopt the updated policy on incurring expenses while conducting city business (Resolution 2025-006); Councilmember Hanford seconded and the motion passed 7–0.

Councilmembers praised staff and consultants for completing the brand work and for sensible clarifications to travel and expense rules.