County looks at mileage change
by Brian Wilson
The Star News
October 1, 2009 —  A change in how mileage is reimbursed for county board supervisors could have overall cost saving implications for the entire county.
Under current county code, the county reimburses employees who travel using their own vehicles at the Federal Internal Revenue Service rate. That rate is set every fall for the upcoming year and is currently at 55 cents per mile.
Members of the Taylor County Personnel Committee this week recommended changing the ordinance to allow the finance committee to establish the rate for mileage.
Since the mileage reimbursements for non-represented county employees is based on the county board’s reimbursement rate, the change could have a big impact on controlling county expenses in the long term, especially if the change ultimately extends to the union employees at the county. However, the proposed change was not included in the county’s initial offers in the most recent round of contract negotiations.
The federal rate takes into account fuel cost as well as wear and tear on the vehicle used.
Employers vary in how they reimburse for mileage. While some, such as the county, reimburse at the IRS, others such as Medford Area Public Schools adjust their rates twice a year on a formula based on the January 1 and July 1 price of gasoline in Medford. Currently the school district’s reimbursement rate is about 43 cents per mile. According to school finance director Jeff Albers, employees still have the option to claim the difference between the reimbursement rates and the federal rate on their taxes if they itemize deductions on their income tax returns.
The proposed ordinance change will go to the finance committee on October 15 and to the full board for a vote on October 28. Ordinances impacting compensation of county board members are generally effective after the next county board election. The county board will be up for election in April 2010.

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