Deltona commission signals $4,000 travel cap, favors streamlined per-diem rules and simpler approvals

Deltona commissioners on July 28 directed staff to update the city's 2013 travel policy and recommended a $4,000 annual travel cap per commissioner, a streamlined per-diem process tied to federal/state rates and removal of dated allowances such as fax charges and long-distance phone fees. Commissioners also agreed that out-of-state travel that stays within the $4,000 limit should not require separate commission approval; requests for reimbursement above the cap would need commission authorization.

The commission discussed whether to defer entirely to Florida statute or federal GSA per-diem rules; several members recommended using the GSA rate or staff-per-diem to simplify administration and to require a short written report after travel. Public commenters and commissioners emphasized transparency—listing conferences in advance when possible—and excluding ineligible charges such as alcohol and dry cleaning from…