Priesthood Leader Travel Reimbursement

A member from our stake was called to be the director of a bishop's storehouse. It requires a great deal of travel, and the agent stake president for the storehouse(from a different stake) has been reimbursing him from their stake budget. Shouldn't this expense be charged to the Other: Priesthood Leader Telephone & Travel Reimbursement category?

Are there any other guidelines for use of this category?

Hi sgoodrich,

The policy noted on the reimbursement form states, in part:

3. Travel reimbursement is for stake presidents and bishops who must attend meetings and for stake clerks who must audit records and train ward clerks.

8. Auxiliary leader travel is discouraged but may be reimbursed from the stake's budget allowance.

Hope that helps.

Freedom55 wrote:The policy noted on the reimbursement form states, in part:

3. Travel reimbursement is for stake presidents and bishops who must attend meetings and for stake clerks who must audit records and train ward clerks.

8. Auxiliary leader travel is discouraged but may be reimbursed from the stake's budget allowance.

The current form is #31563 and is available on ldscatalog.com using the unit login (after logging in, just do a Quick Search for 31563). The policy statements on the current form are numbered differently from the above quote, but the policy is still essentially the same. So it's quite clear that reimbursements for the travel described in the first post would not fit within the policy for reimbursement from Other:Priesthood Leader Telephone & Travel Reimbursement.

sgoodrich wrote:A member from our stake was called to be the director of a bishop's storehouse. It requires a great deal of travel,

Just to clarify, does it require travel as part of the calling or is it just to get from his home to the storehouse?

I know very little about Bishop's Storehouse, so I'm having trouble getting an accurate picture of the situation.

sgoodrich wrote:A member from our stake was called to be the director of a bishop's storehouse. It requires a great deal of travel, and the agent stake president for the storehouse(from a different stake) has been reimbursing him from their stake budget. Shouldn't this expense be charged to the Other: Priesthood Leader Telephone & Travel Reimbursement category?

Are there any other guidelines for use of this category?

If the agent stake president wants to reimburse him from his stake budget, he is free to do so. If he would like to have have the church help with the reimbursement, he probably needs to speak with his area authority for permission to use the reimbursement code.

He might receive that permission if he asks, depending on the circumstances. Then again, he might not. Another option would be for the agent stake and the member's own stake to share the cost.

He is just getting reimbursement for travel from home to the storehouse. Currently we plan to split the cost between the two stakes. That seems to be the proper course of action.

sgoodrich wrote:He is just getting reimbursement for travel from home to the storehouse. Currently we plan to split the cost between the two stakes. That seems to be the proper course of action.

That sounds pretty proper. Someone traveling from here to work at the storehouse would go nearly 100 miles each way.

If reimbursement isn't in the cards, you may be able to deduct the mileage at 14¢/mile in Federal Income tax. (This only applies in the U.S.)

As always, consult a tax professional. I'm not a tax expert. This is only offered as a suggestion.

RussellHltn wrote:. . . you may be able to deduct the mileage at 14¢/mile in Federal Income tax. (This only applies in the U.S.)

And only if you itemize your deductions. [grin]

Freedom55 wrote:8. Auxiliary leader travel is discouraged ...

Reimbursement of the cost may be discouraged, but I've never heard of the travel itself being discouraged.:rolleyes:

Greggo wrote:Reimbursement of the cost may be discouraged, but I've never heard of the travel itself being discouraged.:rolleyes:

Well, you may not have heard of it, but the the official form counsels us:

When possible, limit travel in order to (1) conserve Church resources, (2) conserve the amount of time required of stake and ward leaders, and (3) avoid unnecessary exposure to accidents. Where available and where circumstances allow, use methods other than travel to conduct Church business (for example, telephone calls, videotaped presentations, and fewer meetings).

And then the exact quote in question is.

5. Travel by auxiliary leaders is discouraged but, if approved, may be reimbursed from the stake’s budget allowance. Do not use this form.

Draw your own conclusions.

I, of course, was halfway joking, when I stated that I hadn't heard of travel itself being discouraged.

We live in a medium to large (by area) stake, and it takes probably 45 minutes to get to the stake center and nearly 1.5 hours to get to the ward building at the far end of the stake.

When my wife had a stake calling, she regularly (probably averaging 2/week) was obligated to travel excessively to meetings. It seemed like at least the same amount of time was spent in traveling as the meetings themselves - and she wasn't the one traveling the farthest.

Greggo wrote:I, of course, was halfway joking, when I stated that I hadn't heard of travel itself being discouraged.

I understand that -- I hope I didn't imply that I thought you were completely serious. Although I live in a place now where it isn't an issue, I have lived outside of Utah, and I know that travel can become a significant time and financial burden for leaders and other members. That's why I tried to emphasize the part of the policy which not everyone uses all their efforts and creativity to follow:

Where available and where circumstances allow, use methods other than travel to conduct Church business (for example, telephone calls, videotaped presentations, and fewer meetings).

Of course that's not always possible, but I suspect in many cases that travel could be avoided or greatly reduced.

I know what you mean about large stake. I am clerk in a branch with Sunday attendance 25 - 45. The branch covers more than 1000 square miles. It take near an hour to get from on end to the other, and over 90 minutes to get to the stake center (about 80 miles). Even home/visiting teaching can be a day trip.

What is the current rate for Michigan, USA at which mileage is being reimbursed for Stake President travel?
Is it the same as the rate they can write off on taxes if it is not reimbursed? .14 cents?

ddthor wrote:What is the current rate for Michigan, USA at which mileage is being reimbursed for Stake President travel?
Is it the same as the rate they can write off on taxes if it is not reimbursed? .14 cents?

I've never heard of reimbursing ward leaders for travel, but it makes sense if there is a long commute. I don't think there is any policy for how much a person can or should be reimbursed – it would be up to the presiding officer, I think.

Best I can come up with is Handbook 2: 13.6.24. It's more about church activities, but could apply to leaders traveling to meetings. No rate is given. It appears to be a SP decision.

ddthor wrote:What is the current rate for Michigan, USA at which mileage is being reimbursed for Stake President travel?

Your FM secretary can let you know what your local rate is. The rate is adjusted from year to year and may vary from area to area.

Rates are change via time and area so first confirm rate and then travel.