This chapter is intended to permit payment out of County funds to elected and appointed officers, employees and members of boards and commissions and duly appointed committees of the County when such individuals incur necessary expenses in the performance of their public duties. This chapter does not apply to nor permit any reimbursement or payment of travel and meal allowances already provided for by chapter 2.48 of this title, nor does it apply to or permit reimbursements or payment of necessary expenses already provided for by collective bargaining agreements. (Ord. 1112 § 1 (part), 1980: prior code § 5-16)

The payment or reimbursement of necessary expenses within the scope of this chapter shall be made by the director of finance only upon a certification by the mayor, in the case of individual claimants in or attached to the executive branch, or by the chairman of the council in the case of individual claimants in or attached to the legislative branch, that the expenses were incurred by the claimant:

A. In the performance of his or her public duty;

B. Under circumstances where no other provision for payment or payment by the County has been made;

C. Were primarily for the benefit of the County or one of its agencies; and

D. Were required to be incurred to allow the claimant to carry out his or her public duty or responsibility in an efficient manner. (Ord. 1112 § 1 (part), 1980: prior code § 5-16.2)

Payments made pursuant to this chapter shall be made only out of appropriations specifically and expressly designated for such purposes. Appropriations to the office of the mayor or to the council for contingencies or specifically for expenses of boards, commissions, or committees shall be deemed to be available for payments to individual claimants if the expenses incurred were incurred by or on behalf of persons in the office of the mayor, or the council or in the office of council services or members of boards, commissions, or committees. (Ord. 1112 § 1 (part), 1980: prior code § 5-16.3)

A. If pursuant to section 2.76.020, the mayor or the council chairman, as the case may be, determines that the expense incurred by a claimant was a necessary expense, he nevertheless may disallow a portion of the claim deemed by him to be excessive in amount.

B. In determining whether a claim is for an excessive amount, the mayor or council chairman, as the case may be, shall be guided by the following criteria:

1. The provisions of any other ordinance or collective bargaining agreement applying to officers or employees of the County respecting allowances for similar expenses;

2. Where relevant, the fair market value of the goods or services purchased;

3. The alternatives which were available, in the circumstances in which the expenses were incurred. (Ord. 1112 § 1 (part), 1980: prior code § 5-16.4)

No claims shall be paid under the provisions of this chapter except upon proof of the expense having been incurred. Such records of payment shall, as appropriate, be submitted first to the mayor or council chairman who shall, upon certifying as to the necessity of the expense under section 2.76.020, transmit the certification along with such proof of payment to the director of finance. (Ord. 1112 § 1 (part), 1980: prior code § 5-16.5)