California Assn. of Prof'l Emps. v. County of Los Angeles

The Charter for the County of Los Angeles, article XII, section 53 provides: “Wherever any person in the service of the County is compelled to travel in the performance of his duty, he shall, in addition to his regular compensation, be reimbursed for his actual necessary expenditures for transportation, the hire of conveyances, and for lodging and meals. An itemized account of such expenditures shall be filed with the Clerk of the Board of Supervisors and be approved by the Auditor before being paid. The Board of Supervisors shall fix a maximum price to be paid for such lodging and meals, which shall be uniform and be made applicable to all persons alike, including members of the Board of Supervisors.”

Respondents California Association of Professional Employees (CAPE) and Los Angeles County Professional Peace Officers’ Association (PPOA) contended successfully before the trial court that appellant County of Los Angeles’ (County) method of per-mile compensation does not constitute a reimbursement Of the “actual necessary expenditures” arising from the operation of a car.

The trial court found the following preliminary facts:

County continues to compensate its employees…