CONSENT CALENDAR
City of San Bernardino
Request for Council Action
Date: November 19, 2025
To: Honorable Mayor and City Council Members
From: C. Jeannie Fortune, Interim Director of Finance & Management Services
Department: Finance & Management Services
Subject: Pre-Approval of Mayor and City Council Travel for FY 2025/26 as required by Resolution No. 2024-105 (All
Wards)
Recommendation:
It is recommended that the Mayor and City Council of the City of San Bernardino, California, pre-approve travel for elected officials for FY 2025/26 as outlined.
City Manager's Comments
This item is an approval of travel consistent with City Council policy. The review of travel and other expenses by the City Manager’s office will primarily be focused on staying within the appropriations.
Executive Summary
The Travel Authority and Expense Policy requires pre-approval by the Mayor and City Council for any travel by an elected official, simplifying administrative procedures while ensuring policy compliance. Pre-approved travel for FY 2025/26 includes events sponsored by key organizations like Cal Cities, NLC, and SCAG, allowing City officials to advocate for policies and participate in important committee meetings. This approach supports the City's goals of improving operational capacity and re- establishing itself as a regional leader.
Background
The Travel Authority and Expense Policy, Chapter on Authorized Expenses, Section (b) of “Prior to Trip – Advance Approval” as adopted by the Mayor and City Council on May 15, 2024 (Resolution 2024-105), requires pre-approval by the Mayor and City Council for any travel by an elected official. Annual pre-approval of commonly attended events, committee meetings, conferences, seminars, and other travel eases the administrative burden while ensuring compliance with the adopted Policy so that the Mayor and City Council can complete travel that is beneficial to the City.
Discussion
Pre-approved travel for FY 2025/26 includes all events sponsored by the following organizations:
League of California Cities (“Cal Cities”)
National League of Cities (“NLC”)
Southern California Association of Governments (“SCAG”) San Bernardino County Transportation Authority (“SBCTA”) US Conference of Mayors
International Council of Shopping Centers (“ICSC”)
International City/County Management Association (“ICMA”) The City is currently an active member of Cal Cities, NLC, and SCAG, and City officials routinely attend events sponsored by these organizations. Several City officials also serve on policy committees that are conducted by these organizations, including the Community Services Policy Committee and the Transportation, Communications, and Public Works Policy Committee for Cal Cities. Attending events sponsored by these organizations and participating in the committee meetings where they serve as members, City officials can advocate for policies and help craft legislative platforms aligned with the City's interests.
This is especially important as the City is re-establishing itself as a regional leader. Pre- approving travel to events sponsored by Cal Cities, NLC, and SCAG for FY 2025/26 will afford City officials greater flexibility in attending events where they can conduct business and advocate for policies that benefit the City.
2021-2025 Strategic Targets and Goals
This item aligns with Key Target No. 1d: Improved Operational and Financial Capacity – Create a framework for spending decisions, and Key Target No. 2c: Focused, Alighted Leadership and Unified Community – Re-establish City as the Regional Leader/County Seat.
Fiscal Impact
There is no fiscal impact associated with this item. Budget for anticipated conferences has been approved for both the Mayor and City Council in the FY 2025/26 Adopted Budget.
Conclusion
It is recommended that the Mayor and City Council of the City of San Bernardino, California, pre-approve travel for elected officials for FY 2025/26 as outlined.
Attachments
Attachment 1 – Resolution 2024-105 - Travel Authority and Expense Policy Ward:
All Wards
Synopsis of Previous Council Actions:
August 7, 2024 Mayor and City Council approved the FY 2024/25 travel for elected officials.
CC: Eric Levitt, City Manager