8.E.6. Request by the County Manager, through the Washoe County Clerk, and pursuant to Washoe County Code 2.030, to initiate amendments to Washoe County Code Chapter 5 (Administration and Personnel), Section 5.0244, related to expenditures for incidental food and entertainment expenses for certain county activities; and direct the County Clerk to submit the request to the District Attorney's Office for preparation of a proposed ordinance in accordance with Washoe County Code 2.040. Under the current Code, the County Manager is authorized to approve such payments in amounts less than $5,000.00, provided the expenses are reasonable and necessary county business expenses and sufficient budget appropriation exists. The eligible expense categories include refreshments and meals at board/commission/committee meetings, County Manager's office meetings, tickets and tables at events honoring county programs or employees, tickets and tables at events for which the county is an active sponsor, refreshments and meals at countywide -sponsored events, and fees for performers at employee and volunteer appreciation events. The proposed amendments would specifically allow food purchases to be approved by department heads, provided such expenditures serve a legitimate governmental or public business purpose; sufficient appropriated funds are available; and the expenditure complies with applicable County policies and internal control procedures. Eligible expense categories may include meals or refreshments provided during official meetings, training sessions, conferences, workshops or other County business activities; volunteer recognition, safety, recruitment, retention, or appreciation activities sponsored by the County; and community outreach, public engagement, intergovernmental, economic development, or other official meetings/functions conducted in furtherance of County business. The proposed amendments will prohibit expenditures for personal benefit, partisan political activities, or any expense prohibited by federal, state, or local law. Manager's office. (All Commission Districts.) FOR POSSIBLE ACTION