A Desert Sun review
Read The Desert Sun investigation that exposed inappropriate use of taxpayer-funded credit cards by city of Indio employees, and prompted the subsequent changes in how the city uses those cards. Go online to mydesert.com/creditcards.
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Indio's credit card policy adopted six months ago has undergone revisions to hold employees more accountable and make the 13-page document easier to read and understand.
The policy first came under scrutiny after a Desert Sun special report on Jan. 3 showed the city had 62 cardholders — from department heads to teen center aides — that had charged more than $805,000 over the course of almost two years.
In March, after most of the cards had been revoked to govern spending, the City Council adopted a new credit card policy to provide more oversight and guidelines for employees.
It was with the caveat that staff would work to make the document more succinct and easier to read.
The City Council on Wednesday in a 5-0 vote approved the revised policy pared down from 13 pages to four.
“I like that everyone is held accountable. This is how it should have been in the past,” said Mayor Gene Gilbert.
The guidelines adopted in March did address the city's desire for stronger controls over employee credit card use, but it was too long and not easy to read, said Chris Escobedo, senior management analyst.
The new policy demands more accountability and contains more safeguards than its predecessor, he said.
Employees are encouraged to report credit card abuse.
“Violators of this policy will be punished,” Escobedo said.
The Desert Sun investigation found the cards were being used for a variety of purposes that included nationwide travel, frequent meals out, tickets to national sporting events, clothes for a teen program and airfare for the former city manager's wife.
City staff defended the use of credit cards as a part of conducing city business, but residents questioned and criticized the spending and number of cards distributed. City Council members were also surprised by the number of cards issued.
Escobedo said the city prefers the use of purchase orders and reserves the use of credit cards when purchase orders are not possible. Only City Council members, department heads, managers and supervisors are authorized to use credit cards.
Other policy details include:
Employees cannot charge more than $5,000 in any given month.
Transaction logs that detail every purchase must be submitted each month with other documentation.
Prohibited uses include alcohol and meals between one or more employees.
“I appreciate the fact that you've come back with a tighter policy,” said Councilwoman Melanie Fesmire.
She suggested city staff look into the League of California Cities' recommended procurement card policy for more ideas.
“I think we're on the right track,” Fesmire said.
