Since July 2022, several Hamilton County commissioners have collectively received $9,603 in taxpayer money to reimburse travel between their homes and the Courthouse where the board holds its weekly meetings.
An audit of the panel’s travel discretionary funds found five commissioners who received mileage reimbursements for driving to Wednesday morning meetings at the Hamilton County Courthouse at 625 Georgia Ave.
The IRS does not allow employees to be paid a mileage reimbursement for their commute to and from work, only for business travel from their workplace to other locations while on duty.
Those reimbursed the most were Chair Jeff Eversole, R-Ooltewah, at $3,571, and Commissioner Gene-o Shipley, R-Soddy-Daisy, at $3,334.
Reimbursed for lower amounts were Commissioners Joe Graham, R-Lookout Valley; Mike Chauncey, R-East Ridge; and Lee Helton, R-East Brainerd, according to Hamilton County Auditor Chris McCollough.