HomeMy WebLinkAboutORD. NO. 2026-027 amend YMC 2.20.085_salariesORDINANCE NO. 2026-027
AN ORDINANCE amending the City of Yakima Municipal Code Section 2.20.085.
WHEREAS, the City of Yakima has a travel and training administrative policy that
outlines how travel and training costs are reimbursed and paid, taking into account financial
efficiency and oversight; and
WHEREAS, the City Council of the City of Yakima determines that it is in the best
interests of the City and its residents to reference the City's administrative policy in the City
Code to provide a consistent policy and amend Section 2.20.085 of the Yakima Municipal Code
to do so; now, therefore,
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY OF YAKIMA:
Section 1. Section 2.20.085: Reimbursement for expenditure, is hereby amended to
read as follows.
2.20.086 Reimbursement for expenditure.
In addition to the prescribed rates of pay and other allowances provided for in this chapter,
officers and employees of the city shall be entitled to reimbursement for, or the benefit from, the
following classes of official expenditures:
1. Officers and employees shall be entitled to reimbursement for expenses which may lawfully
be incurred when they are required, with specific written approval of the city manager, to make
necessary out-of-pocket expenditures within or without the city of a nature beyond those
normally associated with the performance of the routine official duties of such individuals, for
purposes which principally promote, develop or publicize the city's best interests.
2. In the event the city manager of the city of Yakima determines that in order to secure the
services of any person not residing within the Yakima area as an employee of the city of
Yakima, it is necessary to pay the cost of moving the household goods and personal effects of
such person from his place of residence to the city of Yakima upon his appointment to city
service, then payment of reasonable and necessary moving costs may be made from
appropriate available maintenance and operation funds in the city's budget, upon the approval
of the city manager.
3. The council finds that in selecting personnel to fill positions in the city of Yakima requiring
special experience and training to qualify for such positions, it becomes necessary, in order to
ensure selection of the most qualified applicant, that applicants for such positions be personally
interviewed, and that in certain cases the expense to the city of sending members of boards,
commissions and other officers of the city to various localities for the purpose of conducting
such interviews exceeds the cost to the city govemment of providing that the interviews be had
in the city of Yakima at the city's expenses and that the payment by the city of the necessary
travel and subsistence expenses for a limited number of applicants to be brought to the city will
result in a saving of expense to the city in the outlay of travel and subsistence expenses or in
the time which would be lost by reason of regular officers or employees of the city conducting
the interviews elsewhere. The council further finds that in such cases the payment by the city of
the travel and subsistence expense of applicants requested to come to the city of Yakima for
interview is a proper municipal expense and for a proper municipal purpose.
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4. In order to make a proper determination of the facts in cases where authority is requested to
bring in applicants for any position in the city of Yakima at the city's expense, the city manager
is authorized to determine the facts, and, upon approval by the city manager, based upon a
determination that the payment by the city of the expenses of bringing a limited number of
applicants to the city of Yakima for interview is necessary to make possible the selection of the
best available applicant for a position involving special skill and experience to properly
discharge the duties thereof, and that the payment of the expense of bringing said applicants to
the city is less than the expense and loss to the city in sending its officers, commissions or
boards to conduct said interview elsewhere, and that funds for the payment of such expenses
are lawfully available, payment therefor shall be considered as approval by the city council and
shall be paid from the fund to which said expenses are properly chargeable.
5. Training and Education.
a. Policy. The city council encourages the training and education of city officers and
employees to the end that they may more effectively render services to the public in
performing assigned duties or in preparing to assume higher responsibilities within
the city service.
b. Reimbursement. Officers and employees shall be entitled to payment and/or
reimbursement for ordinary and reasonable expenses incurred in pursuing such
training and education on compliance with Administrative Policy 1-1900: Travel and
Reimbursement.
6. Professional Fees, Licenses, and Membership Dues.
a, Management employees shall be entitled to direct payment by the city of Yakima or
reimbursement to the employee, for professional fees, licenses and membership
dues applicable to any such employee, in an amount approved by the city manager.
b. Funds for this purpose must be lawfully available within the city's budget or by
appropriation therein. (Ord. 2022-007 § 12, 2022; Ord. 2014-023 § 2 (part), 2014;
Ord. 3403 § 4, 1991; Ord. 2302 §1, 1979; Ord. 2088 §1, 1977; Ord. 189 §1, 1976;
Ord. 748, 1965; Ord. 208, 1960; Ord. 194 §9A, 1960).
Section 2. This ordinance shall be in full force and effect 30 days after its passage,
approval, and publication as provided by law and by the City Charter.
PASSED BY THE CITY COUNCIL, signed and approved this 7th day of July, 2026.
ATTEST:
dsalinda Ibarra, CfJIC, City
Publication Date: July 11, 2026
Effective Date: August 10, 2026
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BUSINESS OF THE CITY COUNCIL
YAKIMA, WASHINGTON
AGENDA STATEMENT
Item No. 7.N.
For Meeting of: July 7, 2026
ITEM TITLE: Ordinance amending the City of Yakima Municipal Code Se
2.20.085 Salaries
SUBMITTED BY:
SUMMARY EXPLANATION:
Lisa Garcia, Human Resources Director
ion
Section 2.20.085 of the Yakima Municipal Code currently outlines reimbursement for expenditures,
including, but not limited to, expenditures for training and education. Separately, the City has an
administrative policy associated with travel, training and reimbursements. That policy requires approval
for training from department directors, division managers, and the City Manager, as well as how and
when reimbursements are provided. The proposed ordinance would refer to the administrative policy
which is more detailed than the current ordinance language.
ITEM BUDGETED: No
STRATEGIC PRIORITY 24-25: A Resilient Yakima
RECOMMENDATION: Pass Ordinance.
ATTACHMENTS:
Ord -Amending YMC 2.20.085_redline.pdf
Ord -Amending YMC 2.20.085_Final.doc
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