The Evansville Common Council Monday adopted Ordinance G 20 25-12 amended, changing the city’s travel expense policy from a receipts-based reimbursement system to a per-diem allowance aligned with state per-diem rates.

Robert Gunter of the controller’s office explained the change is intended to simplify processing and follow the State Board of Accounts’ guidance and state allowances. “We’re asking to make a change to the travel policy where before employees and staff were required to submit receipts. We’d like to just change that to a per diem. This will follow what the state does,” Gunter said.

Gunter and council discussed rate examples presented at the meeting: in-state per-diem benchmarks and out-of-state higher rates depending on travel timing (partial-day rules were described). Gunter said the change was not expected to increase the overall travel budget: “We anticipate this. We’re not increasing the budget for this. Everyone’s gonna live within what’s been appropriated,” he said.

Council voted 8–0 to adopt the amended ordinance. Proponents said the per-diem approach will reduce administrative work and simplify reimbursement for employees who must submit many small receipts.

The ordinance amends chapter section 2.1650.18(c) (travel expenses) of the Evansville Municipal Code, the clerk recorded, and will take effect as specified in the ordinance.