Brooklyn Park Approves Travel Policy Changes
The Brooklyn Park City Council approved changes Monday to its travel policy. The issue came up when some council members wondered how their travel budget compared to other cities.
“Transparency is very important for me,” said Brooklyn Park City Council member Lisa Jacobson at Monday’s council meeting. “I want to make sure that these trips, whether we take them, or we choose not to take them during our term, that we’re very up front about what it its the taxpayers are gaining.”
According to the policy changes, out-of-state travel should not to exceed $2,500 when possible. The mayor would be allowed at least one out-of-state trip annually. For council members, the suggested limit is twice per four-year term.
All council members would also have to give a report prior to and after the trip to explain its benefits. Council members could also request to travel to in-state conferences annually. All travel would require city council approval. Examples of common in-state and out-of-state trips include League of Minnesota Cities or National League of Cities meetings.
Council members were in unanimous agreement of giving a prior report and a follow-up summary within a 45-day timeframe. Mayor Jeff Lunde noted that council member travel expenses are public information.
The current policy also allows the mayor and council members to be paid $50 per day as supplemental compensation for each day approved and for which the member is in attendance at the approved activity.
The changes will take effect Jan. 1, 2020.
