The New Castle County Administrative Finance Committee voted to authorize a process that will allow council members who travel to obtain individual county-backed credit cards for travel expenses.

Councilman Smiley introduced the proposal after discussing concerns about how a shared county card is used. He said members who travel would have two options: pay out of pocket and seek reimbursement, or obtain an individual county-backed card for travel expenses and submit receipts for reconciliation. "My proposal to council is for those members that travel and wish to bridal, for travel purposes only I'm talking about," Smiley said.

Council members raised practical questions. Councilman Carter said he typically seeks reimbursement and that separating travel charges "makes a lot easier to budget." Councilman Hollins said the individual-card option would be "more convenient." Chair Councilman John Cartier asked staff to confirm details.

A staff member identified in the transcript as Nelly explained the county had recently experienced a compromised card number when Police Accountability Board travel required authorization forms, and the county had to cancel the card and reestablish automatic payments. Nelly said issuing traveler-specific cards would reduce the need to circulate authorization forms that contain sensitive card information. "If the traveler has their own card, then we don't need any any forms that would have, the information on it, you know, just kind of floating out there," Nelly said.

The committee discussed credit limits and account responsibility. Smiley proposed a $5,000 limit per card as sufficient for travel. Councilman Hollins clarified that charges would still come from a member's authorized travel amount and office account; if a member exceeded their office allocation, they would be responsible personally. The committee also discussed whether individual credit checks would be required. The chair and staff clarified the credit check would be on the county's credit, not the individual member's personal credit history. "They will not check your credit. They will check the county's credit," a speaker said.

After a motion to adopt the process was made and seconded, the chair called the question and the motion carried. The transcript records the motion and the chair's statement: "So for travel purposes, we'll have credit cards available to council members to be backed up by the approved office budgets related to travel." The transcript does not provide a roll-call vote count; the action was recorded as carried by voice vote.

Key points

- Cards are optional and only for travel expenses; receipts will be required.
- Proposed credit limit discussed: $5,000 per travel card.
- Charges are charged to the member's office/travel budget; members may reimburse personally if they exceed their allocation.
- County credit, not individual credit checks, will be used to secure the cards.

The committee then adjourned.