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Farmers Branch council considers reimbursement option to avoid tax treatment of $200 monthly stipend
Summary
Councilman Tim Roman proposed amending the council travel policy to allow councilmembers to claim up to $200 per month as reimbursements (with receipts) rather than receiving the sum as W‑2 income; attorneys said the charter permits the change and staff will bring the policy amendment back for adoption at a regular meeting.
Councilman Tim Roman proposed an amendment to the council travel policy on May 20 to let members treat the $200 monthly stipend as an expense reimbursement instead of W‑2 taxable income.
Why it matters: the stipend totals $2,400 per calendar year and, when paid as W‑2 income, triggers payroll withholding and a pension contribution. Roman said the reimbursement option would “maximize the funds that we will be receiving” and make use of the existing travel expense review process while avoiding W‑2 tax treatment for members who choose it.
Aaron Flores, deputy director (deputy city secretary), explained staff had drafted policy language to implement the reimbursement path after Roman…
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