(a) Reimbursement Authorized.
(1) All county and district officials and authorized deputies or employees are entitled to receive reimbursement of expenses incurred in the conduct of official and nondiscretionary duties under an appropriation for the operating expenses of an office, function, or service. Reimbursement of expenses incurred in the performance of discretionary functions and services may be permitted when authorized by a specific appropriation of the quorum court.
(2) Reimbursement of expenses for discretionary functions and services may include training expenses for a county official-elect and a district official-elect if authorized by the quorum court.
(b) Allowance for Meals, Lodging, and Other Allowable Expenses.
(1) All reimbursements for the purchase of meals, meal tips, lodging, and other allowable expenses are based on the actual expense incurred or on a per diem basis if authorized by the quorum court.
(2) Reimbursement for meal tips under subdivision (b)(1) of this section shall not exceed fifteen percent (15%) of the purchase amount of the meal.
(3) A per diem reimbursement under subdivision (b)(1) of this section shall be made under an accountable plan as defined by Internal Revenue Service regulations as in existence on January 1, 2009.
(c) Reimbursement of Travel Expense.
(1) Privately Owned Motor Vehicles.
(A)
(i) Any elected county officer, district officer, county officer-elect, district officer-elect, or employee using a privately owned motor vehicle in the conduct of county affairs may be reimbursed at a per-mile rate established by ordinance.
(ii) Reimbursement is based only on official miles driven and legitimate automobile parking fees.
(iii) When more than one (1) traveler is transported in the same vehicle, only the owner is entitled to mileage reimbursement.
(B) A county shall not assume responsibility for any maintenance, operational costs, accidents, and fines incurred by the owner of the vehicle while on official business for the county.
(2) Privately Owned Airplanes. Reimbursement for travel expense using privately owned airplanes is based upon the most direct route in air miles and at the same rate as established for privately owned motor vehicles.