B-160914, MAR. 20, 1967
Highlights
HILF IS UNDERSTOOD TO HAVE OCCUPIED TEMPORARY QUARTERS IN DENVER FOR 30 DAYS INCIDENT TO HIS TRANSFER TO THAT CITY FROM WASHINGTON. DURING THE FIRST 20-DAY PERIOD HE INCURRED CHARGES FOR RENTAL OF TELEVISION AND TELEPHONE TOTALING $20.18 WHICH AMOUNT WAS DISALLOWED IN HIS TRAVEL VOUCHER. DURING THE THIRD 10-DAY PERIOD HE WAS ALLOWED PER DIEM IN LIEU OF SUBSISTENCE. PRESUMABLY THE TELEVISION AND TELEPHONE WERE RENTED BY MR. IN ANY EVENT SUCH ITEMS ARE NOT SPECIFICALLY INCLUDED IN THE REGULATIONS AND IT IS NOT SHOWN THAT THEY WERE ESSENTIAL TO "SUBSISTENCE" OR OFFICIAL BUSINESS. UNDER THE CIRCUMSTANCES WE DO NOT BELIEVE SUCH ITEMS ARE FOR INCLUSION IN THOSE FOR WHICH REIMBURSEMENT IS ALLOWABLE.
B-160914, MAR. 20, 1967
TO AUTHORIZED CERTIFYING OFFICER:
YOUR LETTER OF FEBRUARY 17, 1967, REFERENCE D-311A, WITH ENCLOSED VOUCHER FOR $20.18 IN FAVOR OF MR. JACK W. HILF, CIVILIAN EMPLOYEE OF THE BUREAU OF RECLAMATION, COVERING RENTAL OF TELEVISION AND INSTALLATION AND SERVICE CHARGES FOR TELEPHONE, CLAIMED AS AUTHORIZED ALLOWANCES FOR SUBSISTENCE WHILE OCCUPYING TEMPORARY QUARTERS, REQUESTS OUR DECISION WHETHER THE VOUCHER PROPERLY MAY BE CERTIFIED FOR PAYMENT.
MR. HILF IS UNDERSTOOD TO HAVE OCCUPIED TEMPORARY QUARTERS IN DENVER FOR 30 DAYS INCIDENT TO HIS TRANSFER TO THAT CITY FROM WASHINGTON. DURING THE FIRST 20-DAY PERIOD HE INCURRED CHARGES FOR RENTAL OF TELEVISION AND TELEPHONE TOTALING $20.18 WHICH AMOUNT WAS DISALLOWED IN HIS TRAVEL VOUCHER. MR. HILF NOW RECLAIMS THE AMOUNT DISALLOWED. DURING THE THIRD 10-DAY PERIOD HE WAS ALLOWED PER DIEM IN LIEU OF SUBSISTENCE.
BUREAU OF THE BUDGET CIRCULAR NO. A-56, SECTION 2.5D (1) PERTAINING TO OCCUPANCY OF TEMPORARY QUARTERS AT A NEW OFFICIAL STATION PROVIDES IN PART AS FOLLOWS:
"* * * ALLOWABLE SUBSISTENCE EXPENSES INCLUDE ONLY CHARGES FOR MEALS, LODGING, FEES AND TIPS INCIDENT TO MEALS AND LODGING, LAUNDRY, CLEANING AND PRESSING OF CLOTHING * * *.'
PRESUMABLY THE TELEVISION AND TELEPHONE WERE RENTED BY MR. HILF FOR PERSONAL PLEASURE AND CONVENIENCE. IN ANY EVENT SUCH ITEMS ARE NOT SPECIFICALLY INCLUDED IN THE REGULATIONS AND IT IS NOT SHOWN THAT THEY WERE ESSENTIAL TO "SUBSISTENCE" OR OFFICIAL BUSINESS. UNDER THE CIRCUMSTANCES WE DO NOT BELIEVE SUCH ITEMS ARE FOR INCLUSION IN THOSE FOR WHICH REIMBURSEMENT IS ALLOWABLE, AND THE VOUCHER WHICH IS RETURNED HEREWITH MAY NOT BE CERTIFIED FOR PAYMENT.
CONCERNING YOUR INQUIRY AS TO THE PURCHASE OF GROCERIES WHEN THE TEMPORARY QUARTERS INCLUDES FACILITIES FOR THE PREPARATION OF MEALS, OUR VIEW IS THAT THE COST OF GROCERIES FOR MEALS PROPERLY MAY BE REIMBURSED AS AN ITEM OF SUBSISTENCE AS PROVIDED IN SECTION 2.5D OF BUREAU OF THE BUDGET CIRCULAR NO. A-56.