Res 2006-128 Amendind Expenditure PolicyCITY OF MENDOTA HEIGHTS
DAKOTA COUNTY, MINNESOTA
RESOLUTION NO. 06-128
A RESOLUTION AMENDING THE CURRENT
PUBLIC PURPOSE EXPENDITURE POLICY
WHEREAS, the City of Mendota Heights has a need to establish a public purpose
expenditure policy-,
NOW THEREFORE BE IT HEREBY RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of
Mendota Heights that the following policy of the City of Mendota Heights, as set forth below,
shall be adopted:
PUBLIC PURPOSE EXPENDITURE POLICY
Consistent with Minnesota State laws that permit and require the expenditure of public funds for
public purposes, the Mendota Heights City Council hereby adopts the following policy and
guidelines to provide assistance and clarification to officials and employees for determinations of
when public funds may be spent. The over-riding principle is that public funds must be spent for
a public purpose. The City Council recognizes that the determination of a valid public purpose is
an evolving concept that is somewhat subjective. The City Council therefore feels thoughtful
discussion and debate leading to the formation of policy and guidelines is appropriate. The City
Council authorizes the City Administrator and department heads to establish additional
administrative policies and procedures and to interpret appropriate use of public funds consistent
with this policy and guidelines.
Definitions:
Public Purpose Expenditure — An expenditure of funds related to the purpose for which the City
of Mendota Heights exists, including the mission, goals, functions and responsibilities of elected
and appointed officials, employees and other City representatives.
Employee — For purposes of this policy, the word "employee" shall include all employees,
elected officials, and appointed officials.
PUBLIC PURPOSE GUIDELINES
1. Training and development programs for Mendota Heights elected and appointed
officials and employees serve a public purpose when those training and development
programs are related to the employee's job performance and to the programs and
services provided by the City to its residents.
2. Payment of employee work-related expenses, including travel, lodging, telephone,
and meal expenses serve a public purpose when those expenses are necessarily
incurred by Mendota Heights employees in connection with their official duties
and/or work assignments and those expenses are directly related to the performance
of the governmental function for which Mendota Heights has responsibility.
3. Public expenditures for food and refreshments associated with official Mendota
Heights functions, employee training, and meetings to discuss City business serve a
public purpose when the provision of food or refreshments helps to ensure
meaningful participation by those attending. These functions serve a public purpose
to receive or provide information of concern to the City, recognize individuals for
their service to the City, or provide a forum to discuss City business. These meetings
should be limited to official City business sanctioned by the City Council of City
Administrator.
4. Expenditures for membership in professional and community organizations and
attendance at meetings and professional conferences serve a public purpose by
keeping employees informed of state and federal laws and proposed legislation, rules,
regulations, court and arbitration decisions, risk management, effective employee and
labor relations strategies and issues, availability of grants and other funding sources,
community concerns, and public- private partnership opportunities that are directly
related to the performance of city- related governmental functions and to the service
provided to the residents.
5. Expenditures for educational reimbursement serve a public purpose when the
coursework is directly related to the job duties or performance needs of the employee
and therefore improve the knowledge, skills, and abilities needed to provide effective
and efficient services to the residents.
6. The City may sponsor an annual all- employee social event. The City recognizes that
giving employees /commissioners the opportunity to gather casually and informally
helps build working relationships and camaraderie. All employees and spouses will
be invited to attend.
7. The City may recognize employees with length of service awards with a monetary
-- -award to acknowledge individuals for their years of service to the _City.
FINANCIAL CONSIDERATIONS
Funding for any expenditure must be approved by the appropriate supervisory staff or City
Administrator in accordance with established procedures, and must be included in the approved
City budget.
CONCLUSION
The City of Mendota Heights has determined that the above expenditure policy serves a public
purpose.
Adopted by the City Council of the City of Mendota Heights this 6"' day of March 2006.
ATTEST:
athleen M. Swanson, City Clerk
CITY COUNCIL
CITY OF MENDOTA HEIGHTS
By:_ /'I,/,
J H ayor