Approve a contract amendment that allows travel reimbursement to be increased \n \n from $ 0.28/mile to $0.485/mile as approved by the state of Georgia. \n \n
Approval
Approved
Background
On July 12, 2005, the Columbus Council approved a contract with the
Chattahoochee Judicial Circuit to provide public defender services to Superior
Court and Juvenile Court per the provisions of the Georgia Indigent Defense Act
of 2003. Article 4 ? Travel and Reimbursement of Expenses specifically
states that the rate will be $0.28/mile. All the counties in the circuit for
consistency purposes agreed upon this amount. Now the State of Georgia has
increased its rate to $0.485/mile. Staff is requesting that Council approve
the contract amendment.
Analysis
While the legislature was in special session, the Senate passed Bill 1 EX tying
the mileage reimbursement for use of a personal vehicle to the rate established
by the United States General Services Administration pursuant to the Federal
Travel Regulations Amendment as of July 1, 2005. The rate of reimbursement
of $0.485 is effective as of July 1 and the state allows for the mileage
increase be effective for mileage incurred after September 10, 2005. This new
rate will be higher than the reimbursement rate for employees outside of the
Public Defender?s Office that is currently $0.36/mile.
Financial Considerations
The contract amendment does not require additional funding for the Public
Defender?s budget.
Projected Annual Fiscal Impact Statement
Legal Considerations
O.C.G.A. ?50-19-7 as amended allows the use of a personal motor vehicle rate of
reimbursement to be 48.5 cents.
Recommendations/ Actions
Approve a contract amendment that allows travel reimbursement to be increased
from $ 0.28/mile to $0.485/mile as approved by the State of Georgia.