County debates mileage pay for legislators

AUBURN - Cayuga County's legislators won't be getting more money for their miles, despite an increase in the reimbursement rate established by the federal Internal Revenue Service.

The county's gas mileage reimbursement rate for non-bargaining employees, appointed and elected officials was capped at August's Legislature meeting at 50.5 cents per mile. The IRS earlier this summer raised the rate from that level to 58.5 cents, which is the threshold for making business travel expenses tax deductible.

The county resolution, which was passed by a 9-5 vote, also stipulates that employees must request a reimbursement within 180 days after the end of a fiscal quarter and that any changes in the reimbursement rates will have to go through the Legislature. Steven Cuddeback, George Fearon, Raymond Lockwood, Roger Mills and Daniel Sincebaugh dissented.