Daytona Beach Updates Employee Travel Policy 2026

Daytona Beach implemented a new employee travel policy in February 2026 designed to reduce costs and clarify spending rules for city staff.

The policy requires employees to seek advance approval through a digital Travel Authorization Form before booking travel. Supervisors and department directors must approve all requests. The City Manager approves travel exceeding $2,000, out-of-state trips, or specific lodging situations.

The city replaced meal reimbursements with per diem allowances based on federal General Services Administration rates, eliminating the need for receipts. Employees must submit a Travel Expense Report with documentation within 10 business days of returning.

Cost-cutting measures include calculating mileage from an employee's official work location, barring hotel stays the night before events if travel time is under four hours and the event starts after noon, and requiring employees to drive home the same day if travel time is under four hours. Airfare bookings must use the lowest-cost option.

The Office of the City Manager, Information Technology Department, and Purchasing and Finance departments developed the policy with input from other local governments. All city departments completed training before the February rollout.