MEMPHIS, Tenn. — A Memphis City Council member says there are a lot of questions about the city’s travel policy.
Council member Wanda Halbert says right now the policy isn’t clear, but not everyone agrees with her.
“A couple of weeks ago we had an issue that came up and some council members were required to use personal credit card,” Halbert said.
Halbert says that issue was a trip to National League of Cities in Washington, D.C.
Halbert thinks if the city is going to force the use of personal credit cards for business travel, then the city needs a clear policy.
“We either have a policy or we don’t. I have personal credit cards, but if there’s a person that comes after me, if this council allows travel, they need to put in policy that personal credit cards are required,” she said.
Some council members say there are other important topics the city should focus on, and the city’s travel policy isn’t one of them.
Council member Harold Collins called this a budget issue and says if council members are that passionate about it, they should’ve said something then.
“Had the council members been in place, when cuts were made to travel, healthcare and pensions, then we wouldn’t be talking about this because we don`t come to the meetings at 5:30,” he said.
Halbert says the city doesn’t need to get rid of business travel opportunities because there’s a lot to learn at these conferences, she just thinks there’s a better way to plan and pay for them.