Commission adopts amended employee handbook and updates travel reimbursement rules
Loading...
Summary
San Juan County adopted an amended and restated employee handbook (Ordinance No. 34) to reflect a restructured compensation system and other policy clarifications effective upon adoption; the commission also approved a travel-policy update aligning lodging and per-diem meal reimbursements with DFA changes effective July 1, 2025.
The San Juan County Commission approved updates to personnel and travel policies that take effect immediately to reflect a restructured county compensation system and changes in state travel-reimbursement rules.
County staff said the amended and restated employee handbook (Ordinance No. 34) incorporates the new compensation system effective July 6 and a range of clarifications raised since the prior handbook update. Examples staff cited include a four-day requirement for departing employees to return county property to avoid payroll deductions, footwear allowance coverage for insole inserts, and that workers’ compensation benefits may be reduced if intoxication contributed to an employee injury. The commission approved the adoption and added an emergency clause so the handbook goes into effect upon adoption.
The commission also approved updates to the travel policy to align with the New Mexico Department of Finance and Administration (DFA) revisions to MAC 2.42.2 effective July 1, 2025. Finance staff explained lodging reimbursement allowable without special permission increased from $215 to $350; meal reimbursement will move to a flat per-diem set by DFA (the FY26 per-diem is $70) and receipts are not required for meals unless the county purchasing card (P-card) is used. Gratuities are considered included in the per-diem. The commission voted to approve both the travel policy update and the amended employee handbook by voice votes.
