The Riverside Local Agency Formation Commission voted June 26 to approve reimbursement for Commissioner Bruce Underwood for expenses tied to attending a CALAFCO pre-conference mobile workshop in Temecula, while directing staff to create clearer rules for commissioner attendance and reimbursement.

Underwood asked the commission to reimburse his overnight hotel cost for the mobile workshop, which began early the next morning, saying Riverside LAFCO had paid his registration and that attendance offered networking and education value. "I went and interacted with a number of other LAFCO members... that was my rationale for going," Underwood said.

Staff said the workshop was technically a pre-conference staff event that CALAFCO restricts to staff, and that the budget had been set for five staff attendees. "The actual portion of the conference was the pre-conference staff workshop, mobile workshop," Gary (LAFCO staff) said, noting CALAFCO rules that typically limit commissioner attendance. The mobile workshop included a tour of the Wilson Winery in Temecula and a presentation by Eastern Municipal Water District, staff said.

Commissioners debated whether reimbursement should require prior commission approval, whether travel and hotel should be covered, and whether per diems or caps should apply. "If there was approval, then I think Commissioner Underwood is entitled," Commissioner Steve Sanchez said, adding that future attendance should be authorized by the commission. Commissioner Manuel Perez said similar public bodies typically pay airfare and hotel and may set caps and require receipts.

After discussion, the commission approved Underwood's reimbursement request on a motion by Commissioner Manuel Perez, seconded by Commissioner Steve Sanchez. Bruce Underwood abstained from the vote. The commission did not specify a dollar amount at the meeting; staff said records in the packet include a breakdown of overall workshop costs and that LAFCO paid the registration fee for several attendees.

Commissioners also instructed staff to draft a clearer reimbursement policy and a list of conferences and workshops for future budget planning. Gary said he will prepare a proposed policy for commission discussion before the next budget cycle. "I can put something together and then we can discuss it again at a future commission meeting before the budget meeting starts next year," he said.

The vote and subsequent policy work do not change CALAFCO rules limiting commissioner attendance at staff-only sessions; commissioners discussed whether to budget for commissioner attendance at future CALAFCO events or webinars during the next budget process.

The action distinguishes a one-time reimbursement for an individual who sought to participate in a CALAFCO mobile workshop from any blanket policy; commissioners asked that future commissioner travel be pre-authorized and budgeted where appropriate.