B-164926, SEP. 30, 1968

B-164926, SEP. 30, 1968

TO MISS SOPHIE G. CYZESKI:

WE REFER TO YOUR LETTER OF JULY 23, 1968, YOUR REFERENCE 362, BY WHICH YOU REQUEST OUR ADVANCE DECISION WHETHER YOU MAY PROPERLY CERTIFY FOR PAYMENT THE ENCLOSED VOUCHER TO REIMBURSE MR. WAYNE M. MONTEITH, AN EMPLOYEE OF THE BUREAU OF RECLAMATION, UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR, THE FEE OF $475 HE PAID TO A FIRM OF ARCHITECTS FOR THE DESIGN OF A RESIDENCE HE CONSTRUCTED AT HIS NEW OFFICIAL STATION INCIDENT TO HIS TRANSFER FROM EPHRATA, WASHINGTON, TO COULEE DAM, WASHINGTON.

MR. MONTEITH CLAIMS REIMBURSEMENT OF THE FEE IN QUESTION UNDER THE PROVISIONS OF SECTION 4.2C OF BUREAU OF THE BUDGET CIRCULAR NO. A-56 WHICH AUTHORIZES REIMBURSEMENT TO TRANSFERRED EMPLOYEES FOR FEES CHARGED FOR "PREPARING DRAWINGS OR PLATS WHEN REQUIRED FOR LEGAL OR FINANCING PURPOSES.' YOU INDICATE THAT THE LENDING INSTITUTION FROM WHICH MR. MONTEITH RECEIVED FINANCING ON HIS NEW RESIDENCE REQUIRED PLANS FOR THE RESIDENCE BE DRAWN BY A QUALIFIED PERSON.

WE BELIEVE THAT THE REFERENCE IN SECTION 4.2C OF CIRCULAR NO. A-56 TO "DRAWINGS OR PLATS" AUTHORIZES REIMBURSEMENT ONLY FOR THE COST OF PREPARING AN ILLUSTRATION OF THE PROPERTY AND IMPROVEMENTS THEREON SHOWING RELATIONSHIPS TO SURROUNDING PROPERTIES, I.E., A PLAT. THUS, REIMBURSEMENT FOR THE COST OF ARCHITECTURAL PLANS OR DRAWINGS FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF A RESIDENCE WOULD NOT BE COVERED THEREBY. IN THAT CONNECTION WE POINT OUT THAT REIMBURSEMENT IS NOT AUTHORIZED FOR CERTAIN EXPENSE ITEMS INCURRED BY AN EMPLOYEE AT HIS NEW OFFICIAL STATION WHICH RESULT FROM THE FACT THAT HE CHOOSES TO BUILD A RESIDENCE RATHER THAN BUY ONE ALREADY CONSTRUCTED. B-164044, JUNE 7, 1968; B 164452, JULY 2, 1968, COPIES ENCLOSED.

THE VOUCHER WHICH IS RETURNED HEREWITH MAY NOT BE CERTIFIED FOR PAYMENT.