Council adopts travel reimbursement policy, discusses proposed social‑media comment ban

The Mount Pleasant City Council adopted Resolution 2025‑17 on Nov. 4, establishing a council travel and reimbursement policy that sets expectations and approval procedures for out‑of‑county travel.

Lee (city staff/city attorney) explained key points: local travel within Titus County and city business is not reimbursable; out‑of‑county travel may be reimbursed after the traveler completes a reimbursement form attesting to expenses and two other council members not involved in the travel sign to approve the reimbursement; lodging reimbursement is capped at applicable GSA rates; alcohol and guest/spouse costs are not reimbursable; loaner city vehicles are encouraged but subject to availability; mileage reimbursement will be documented by map app or odometer readings. The policy was moved and adopted by council with the chair announcing the vote in favor.

Council also discussed a draft social‑media policy presented by Candace and reviewed by the city attorney. The draft would discontinue comments and messages on the city’s social accounts beginning Jan. 2, 2026, but staff emphasized the proposal is not intended to prevent public comment — instead it would direct citizens to provide comments to the city secretary 24 hours in advance for reading at meetings (staff also noted the proposed timeline and a possible 2‑hour pre‑meeting window could be options). The city attorney recommended posting the proposal on multiple agendas before formal adoption so the public can comment. Council asked staff to make edits (including considering a 2‑hour pre‑meeting comment window and discussing a potential livestream delay for safety) and return the item to a future agenda in December.