by Neil Richard
Editor's Note: As a brief reminder, the results below are broken down into different categories and time frames. The three main time frames are:
The major categories are Expenses, Reimbursements, and Repayments. Within the Expenses and Reimbursement categories, the data is further broken down into Transportation, Food, Lodging, Registration Fees, and Unknown. Transportation is further broken down into Gas, Tolls, Taxis, Parking, Mileage, and Airlines.
Additionally, there are special notes for data related to Virginia Association of Counties (VACo), National Association of Counties (NACo), and Anomalies. Anomalies are data points that raise questions about their veracity, missing receipts, or calculation errors.
$250.00 Registration Fee for the 2017 VACo Annual Conference. Although fellow Supervisor John Jenkins registered for the event, Richard Granger went instead and took advantage of the cheaper hotel at the Warm Springs Inn at a cost of $260.68.
Reimbursements
None.
Repayments
None.
Anomalies
None.
$225.00 Registration Fee for the 2018 VACo Annual Conference. The hotel fee for this conference was $305.73.
Reimbursements
None.
Repayments
None.
Anomalies
The total bill for the stay at the Omni in Hot Springs, VA was $1,222.92. As we've seen in other hotel bills, it appears the charge of $305.73 was a deposit.
* When it comes to the discussion and implementation of travel costs for the Board of Supervisors, how would you best explain it to a community member?
During the development of the budget for the county each fiscal year the BOS will discuss expected travel expenses. Each board member submits a list of expected travel expenses and then the board as a whole will vote on what to approve.
As board members travel on county business they will submit receipts to be reimbursed for travel that was approved. If there is an unexpected conference or activity that was not approved during the budget cycle a board member can request additional funds be made available to support. If the board votes to approve then the requesting board member will be reimbursed for that travel expenditure. If at any time a board member exceeds there travel allotment without majority consent from the board then reimbursement is not provided.
* How much of your job requires travel?
The county has representation on a number of boards and commissions in the region. Some of these boards and commissions are supported by board members. The board comes to a consensus on which members will support which boards and commissions. While I travel regionally to attend the meetings I assume you are inquiring about required travel that would be applicable for reimbursement. Strictly speaking I would say that our job does not "require" any travel in that sense. With that said I do feel that there are times where it is in the best interest of the county to have supervisors travel to attend meetings. In particular I feel attending Virginia Association of County (VACO) meetings is important because VACO represent, promote and protect the interests of counties.
* What are the benefits of using county resources for travel to outside organizations?
The main benefit is that when board members travel to outside organizations the interests of King George County are represented. This ensures that the counties voice is heard.
* Would you say the new plan for travel reimbursements is a good working plan or should it be tweaked a bit more to allow for county growth and development or other reasons?
I believe that the plan the BOS put in place is a good working plan. As the county grows and evolves future boards can always revisit the policy and update as needed.
* If any, what do you feel you have brought back to the county through your travels?
I attend VACO meetings and in particular serve on the Education Steering Committee. When I attend these meetings I represent the county and work to help craft the stance that VACO provides to the state legislature to meet our counties needs from an educational perspective.
* Do you have any comment on the concerns raised about the overall quantity of travel?
No Comment. But I encourage all citizens to reach out to board members with any comments or concerns that they may have.
* Do you feel you travel too much, too little, or just enough?
I recognize that travel reimbursement comes from the tax payers. I take that very seriously and en-devour to limit my travel to those activities that I believe will really be of value to the county. Personally I believe I travel just enough.
Editor's Note: As a brief reminder, the results below are broken down into different categories and time frames. The three main time frames are:
- July 1, 2017 to December 31, 2017
- January 1, 2018 to June 30, 2018
- July 1, 2018 to December 31, 2018
The major categories are Expenses, Reimbursements, and Repayments. Within the Expenses and Reimbursement categories, the data is further broken down into Transportation, Food, Lodging, Registration Fees, and Unknown. Transportation is further broken down into Gas, Tolls, Taxis, Parking, Mileage, and Airlines.
Additionally, there are special notes for data related to Virginia Association of Counties (VACo), National Association of Counties (NACo), and Anomalies. Anomalies are data points that raise questions about their veracity, missing receipts, or calculation errors.
July 1, 2017 to December 31, 2017
Expenses$250.00 Registration Fee for the 2017 VACo Annual Conference. Although fellow Supervisor John Jenkins registered for the event, Richard Granger went instead and took advantage of the cheaper hotel at the Warm Springs Inn at a cost of $260.68.
Reimbursements
None.
Repayments
None.
Anomalies
None.
January 1, 2018 to June 30, 2018
Richard Granger had no travel expenses, reimbursements, or repayments during this six month period.July 1, 2018 to December 31, 2018
Expenses$225.00 Registration Fee for the 2018 VACo Annual Conference. The hotel fee for this conference was $305.73.
Reimbursements
None.
Repayments
None.
Anomalies
The total bill for the stay at the Omni in Hot Springs, VA was $1,222.92. As we've seen in other hotel bills, it appears the charge of $305.73 was a deposit.
18 Month Grand Total
Expenses totaled $1,041.41.Supervisor's Response
In an effort to hear directly from the Supervisors on the topic travel, we asked them a few questions. Below is their unedited response.* When it comes to the discussion and implementation of travel costs for the Board of Supervisors, how would you best explain it to a community member?
During the development of the budget for the county each fiscal year the BOS will discuss expected travel expenses. Each board member submits a list of expected travel expenses and then the board as a whole will vote on what to approve.
As board members travel on county business they will submit receipts to be reimbursed for travel that was approved. If there is an unexpected conference or activity that was not approved during the budget cycle a board member can request additional funds be made available to support. If the board votes to approve then the requesting board member will be reimbursed for that travel expenditure. If at any time a board member exceeds there travel allotment without majority consent from the board then reimbursement is not provided.
* How much of your job requires travel?
The county has representation on a number of boards and commissions in the region. Some of these boards and commissions are supported by board members. The board comes to a consensus on which members will support which boards and commissions. While I travel regionally to attend the meetings I assume you are inquiring about required travel that would be applicable for reimbursement. Strictly speaking I would say that our job does not "require" any travel in that sense. With that said I do feel that there are times where it is in the best interest of the county to have supervisors travel to attend meetings. In particular I feel attending Virginia Association of County (VACO) meetings is important because VACO represent, promote and protect the interests of counties.
* What are the benefits of using county resources for travel to outside organizations?
The main benefit is that when board members travel to outside organizations the interests of King George County are represented. This ensures that the counties voice is heard.
* Would you say the new plan for travel reimbursements is a good working plan or should it be tweaked a bit more to allow for county growth and development or other reasons?
I believe that the plan the BOS put in place is a good working plan. As the county grows and evolves future boards can always revisit the policy and update as needed.
* If any, what do you feel you have brought back to the county through your travels?
I attend VACO meetings and in particular serve on the Education Steering Committee. When I attend these meetings I represent the county and work to help craft the stance that VACO provides to the state legislature to meet our counties needs from an educational perspective.
* Do you have any comment on the concerns raised about the overall quantity of travel?
No Comment. But I encourage all citizens to reach out to board members with any comments or concerns that they may have.
* Do you feel you travel too much, too little, or just enough?
I recognize that travel reimbursement comes from the tax payers. I take that very seriously and en-devour to limit my travel to those activities that I believe will really be of value to the county. Personally I believe I travel just enough.
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