803.3 - District Credit Card Use

The superintendent [or designee] is authorized to enter into an agreement with a financial institution for the use of district credit cards. Use of credit cards will be limited to expenditures necessary to conduct district business. Actual and necessary expenditures incurred in the performance of work-related duties include, but are not limited to, travel expenses related to professional development or fulfillment of required job duties, payment of claims related to professional development of the board and employees, and other expenses required by employees and the board in the performance of their duties.

Employees and officers using a school district credit or procurement card must submit a detailed, itemized receipt to substantiate all expenditures. Failure to provide a proper receipt will make the employee responsible for expenses incurred. Those expenses are reimbursed to the school district no later than 10 working days following use of the school district’s credit or procurement card. In exceptional circumstances, the superintendent [or designee] may allow a claim without proper receipt. Written documentation explaining the exceptional circumstances is maintained as part of the school district’s record of the claim.

The superintendent [or designee] designates the employees authorized to use district credit cards for the purchase of appropriate goods and services for district purposes. The superintendent [or designee] will be responsible for establishing administrative procedures that, at a minimum, address the following:

  1. Which employees are authorized to use district credit cards.
  2. What types of goods and services each employee is authorized to purchase with a district credit card.
  3. The maximum amount of any single transaction for each authorized employee.
  4. The total maximum dollar amount of purchases for a monthly billing cycle for each authorized employee.

The district will instruct the credit card issuer in writing to block all credit card purchases of unauthorized goods and services, purchases of goods and services from unauthorized merchants, purchases in excess of the single transaction limit, and purchases in excess of the monthly billing cycle limit. District credit card purchases may be made by telephone, facsimile, over the internet, or onsite.

It is the responsibility of the superintendent [or designee] to determine whether the school district credit or procurement card use is for appropriate school business. It is the responsibility of the board to determine through the audit and approval process of the board whether the school district credit or procurement card used by the superintendent and board is for appropriate school business.

District credit card users will be held accountable for appropriate use of district credit cards. Unauthorized use of a district credit card will be grounds for disciplinary action including termination of employment.

Adopted  2/05
Reviewed: 10/12;12/13; 5/15; 12/18
Revised: 7/08; 1/22
Related Policy: 803.3-R
Legal Reference (Code of Iowa): §§ 279.8, .29, .30; 281 IAC 12.3(1)
IASB Reference: 401.10
Mandatory Policy 

803.3-R - Regulations Regarding District Credit Card Use

The Linn-Mar Community School District feels that credit cards can help aid administration take care of school business in an efficient manner. With this in mind, the use of a credit card will only be allowed for certain purchases. These purchases include the following:

  1. Hotel/Motel Expenses: Employees are expected to use the most cost effective lodging option when traveling. Additional costs incurred above the cost of the room not related to business are the responsibility of the employee.
     
  2. Travel:
    1. Employees are expected to use the most cost effective airfare when traveling to a destination with a distance exceeding 350 miles. Only coach class tickets are allowed.
    2. Vehicle parking charges.
       
  3. Meals:
    1. Are allowed in an amount not to exceed $50.00 per person per day. No single meal (e.g. breakfast, lunch, or dinner) should exceed $30.00. The total cost of meals will be the actual cost (less tips and any unwaived sales tax) not exceeding $50.00 for a full day’s total.
    2. Gratuities are allowed up to 20 percent. Gratuities above 20 percent will require reimbursement from the employee to the district.
    3. Reimbursement for alcoholic beverages is not permitted.
       
  4. Registrations: Conference registrations are allowed to be charged as long as the conference has been approved.
     
  5. Internet Purchases: Purchase of materials via the Internet are allowed with prior approval of the district or site administrator.
     
  6. Other Purchases: Other purchases will be allowed with prior approval of the site administrator. Credit card purchases in excess of $5,000 need approval of the superintendent [or designee].

All employees who use a district credit card will turn in itemized receipts. Any charges made without verifiable receipts will require the employee to reimburse the district for the charges.

It is also a requirement of the employee to present a copy of the district’s tax exempt certificate with all purchases to ensure that sales tax is not charged, failure to do so could require the employee to reimburse the district the sales tax charge.

Adopted: 3/05
Reviewed: 7/10; 5/15
Revised: 10/12; 12/13; 8/17; 12/18; 1/22
Related Policy: 803.3
IASB Reference: 401.10