This chapter is enacted pursuant to § 10,
1(ii)a(1), of the Municipal Home Rule Law of the State of New York.
At the option of the Town Board of the Town
of Ithaca, the Town of Ithaca may reimburse newly hired employees
for all or a part of the expenses such employee may incur in relocating
to the Town of Ithaca. Such relocation expenses may include, but are
not necessarily limited to:
A. Reasonable expenses incurred in moving furniture,
normal household goods and personal belongings to the new location;
the employee must obtain three estimates and the selection of the
carrier is to be coordinated with the Town of Ithaca's Personnel Department.
B. Incidental expenses such as meals, gasoline and other
travel expenses related to the move.
The maximum amount to be reimbursed in total,
and/or the maximum amount for any specific item, may be determined
by the Town Board prior to or concurrently with the making of an offer
of employment to the prospective employee.
The payment of relocation expenses as authorized
herein may be made subject to such conditions as the Town Board may
impose. Such conditions may include, but are not necessarily limited
to:
A. A requirement that the relocation expenses be paid
back to the Town in the event employment with the Town is terminated
by the employee prior to the expiration of a specified period, which
period shall in no event exceed 36 months from commencement of work
with the Town. Such reimbursement condition may require that all of
the relocation expenses be paid back or only a portion, prorated according
to the length of time of the specified period that the employee is
an employee of the Town of Ithaca.
B. A requirement that all or a portion of the relocation
payments be returned to the Town in the event the employee's employment
with the Town is terminated by the Town for cause during a specified
period, not in excess of 36 months following initial employment by
the Town.
C. A requirement that the relocation occur within a specified
time of the hiring of the employee.
Payment of relocation expenses shall be made
upon submission of vouchers and other documentation reasonably required
by the Town in order to substantiate the expenses for which reimbursement
is sought.
An employee receiving relocation expenses pursuant
to this chapter shall be fully responsible for any income taxes that
may be payable with respect to such relocation expenses, and the Town
may withhold any amounts required by any applicable tax laws, federal
or state, that relate to or require such withholding of payments of
such nature.