The Cowlitz County Board of Commissioners voted to rescind its prior travel policy and adopt a new allowable expenses and reimbursement policy moved from the consent agenda following public and elected-official questions.

County staff said the updated policy draws on guidance from the State Auditor’s Office and MRSC to fill missing sections and improve auditability. Kaylee (county staff) told the board the draft had gone through multiple internal reviews and is designed to give departments clearer instruction on what expenses are allowable and to improve internal auditing procedures.

Emily Wilcox, Cowlitz County assessor, told commissioners she supported an overhaul but asked that the draft be reworked because the policy’s definition of “work area” could unintentionally make remote employees’ habitual commutes reimbursable. “A remote or part-time telework employee who lives more than 60 miles from the county campus could qualify for mileage, lodging and travel reimbursement every time they’re required to come to the campus,” Wilcox said, urging the board to table the item so staff could “workshop the wording, especially around the definition of work area.”

Staff pointed to the policy text (page 9, section f) that excludes normal commuting between an employee’s usual residence and usual place of work from mileage reimbursement. Commissioners discussed a layered approval process that would require a department head or the board to approve exceptional one-off reimbursements for directors or elected officials.

Commissioners said they saw substantial improvement over the prior policy and that amendments could be made later if gaps surfaced. After discussion, a motion to adopt the allowable expenses and reimbursement policy carried on a voice vote. Commissioners said they expect to return with any needed clarifications or amendments as issues are raised.

The board did not specify a vote roll-call in the transcript; the measure was adopted by voice vote.