Board adopts IRS mileage rate retroactive to Jan. 1, 2026
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Summary
Clay County school leaders voted to update employee travel reimbursement to the IRS recommended rate of 72.5 cents per mile, and adjusted meal/per-diem totals; the change is retroactive to Jan. 1, 2026 and was approved following a motion by Mr. Ashlock.
The Clay County Board of Education approved a change to employee travel reimbursements Jan. 15, adopting the IRS recommended mileage rate of 72.5 cents per mile retroactive to Jan. 1, 2026.
Staff reviewed current district reimbursement practices and materials in the board packet showing previous rates and meal/incidentals. The presenter noted IRS guidance updated the mileage rate to 72.5 cents and provided sample per-diem meal figures recorded in the packet; board discussion referenced daily totals that moved from an earlier $59 figure to roughly $68 under the sample state rates shown in the materials.
Mr. Ashlock moved adoption of the IRS rate; Mr. Mel seconded. When the chair called for opposition, at least one board member voiced opposition on the record. The chair nonetheless announced that the motion passed. The transcript does not include a full roll-call tally.
The board directed staff to update documentation and expense forms to reflect the new rate. Staff indicated the policy change was intended to reduce confusion over county practices and align reimbursed amounts with federal guidance.
The district did not record who would be responsible for immediate reimbursements or whether any specific retroactive payments would be issued beyond policy change and updated forms.