AFSCME Contract - MMB Home - Minnesota Management & Budget

Section 2. Covered Expenses. Employees must have received prior authorization from their
Appointing Authority before incurring any expenses authorized by this Article.
A. Travel Status. An employee eligible for relocation expenses pursuant to Section 1 shall be
considered to be in travel status up to a maximum of ninety (90) calendar days or until the date
of the move to the new permanent residence, whichever comes first, and shall be allowed
standard travel expenses to return to his/her permanent residence, once a week while being
lodged at his/her new station, or, by mutual agreement between the employee and the
Appointing Authority, to travel between his/her permanent residence, and his/her new work
station on a daily basis. If the first option is used, standard travel expenses for the employee's
spouse shall be borne by the Appointing Authority for a maximum of two (2) trips not to exceed
a total of seven (7) calendar days during the ninety (90) calendar day period. Employees shall
not receive mileage reimbursement for daily commuting to work from the temporary residence.
B. Temporary Living Expenses. An employee may be reimbursed for the short-term rental of an
apartment, house, or other residence instead of being reimbursed for hotel or motel room
rental, with the written approval of the Appointing Authority, provided that the rental rate for the
alternative housing is less than or comparable to hotel or motel rates and provided that the
rental residence is available to all potential renters. When reviewing requests for rental of
alternative short-term housing, Appointing Authorities may take into account the lower cost of
groceries for the employee compared to reimbursement for restaurant meals.
C. Realtor's Fees. Realtor's fees for the sale of the employee's domicile, not to exceed $5,000,
shall be paid by the Appointing Authority. Additional realtor’s fees of up to $10,000 total may
be paid at the discretion of the Appointing Authority.
D. Moving Expenses. The Appointing Authority shall pay the cost of moving and packing the
employee's household goods. The employee shall obtain no less than two (2) bids for packing
and/or moving household goods and approval must be obtained from the Appointing Authority
prior to any commitment to a mover to either pack or ship the employee's household goods.
The Appointing Authority shall pay for the moving of house trailers if the trailer is the
employee's domicile, and such reimbursement shall include the cost of transporting support
blocks, skirts, and/or other attached fixtures.
E. Documented Miscellaneous Expenses. The employee shall be reimbursed up to a
maximum of $1,000 for the necessary miscellaneous expenses directly related to the move. At
their sole discretion, Appointing Authorities may authorize payment of additional relocation
expenses incurred as the result of the work-related move up to the amount of $785. These
expenses may include such items as: fees involved in the purchase of housing in the new
location, disconnecting and connecting appliances and/or utilities, the cost of insurance for
property damage during the move, the cost of moving up to two (2) cars, the reasonable
transportation costs of the employee's family to the new work location at the time the move is
made including meals and lodging (such expenses shall be consistent with the provisions of
Article 20 (Expense Allowances)), or other direct costs associated with rental, purchase, or sale
of a residence, including, but not limited to, attorney fees, loan origination fees, abstract fees,
title insurance premiums, appraisal fees, credit report fees and government recording and
transfer fees; fees for inspections or other services required by law or local ordinances.
Reimbursable miscellaneous expenses do not include, among others, rental of the employee’s
permanent residence, costs for improvements to either the old or new home or reimbursable
deposits required in connection with the purchase or rental of the residence, real estate taxes,
mortgage interest differentials, points, assessments, homeowner association fees,
homeowners or renters insurance, mortgage insurance, hazard insurance, automobile or
driver’s license reissue fees, utility or other refundable deposits, boarding of pets, and the
purchase of new furnishings or personal effects.
2013-2015 AFSCME Contract – Page 81