Problematic Expense Guide - A to Z

• Fines – The payment or reimbursement of personal fines and other penalties incurred by an employee or other individual in violation of public law or policy is a prohibited use of University funds.
  
  
  • Examples – Parking tickets, traffic fines or speeding tickets incurred while conducting University business.
    
    
  • The Reason this is Unallowable – Fines and penalties related to personal violations of public law or policy such as speeding tickets & parking tickets are avoidable and preventable. Like all citizens, UNM employees are required to abide by all laws while conducting University work.  The payment of personally incurred fines and penalties would violate the New Mexico Anti-Donation Law and is specifically prohibited by corresponding University Administrative Policy 4000:  Allowable and Unallowable Expenditures, Section 6:  Personal Benefit.  In addition, these expenses would also most likely constitute unnecessary wasteful spending under State Law.  In New Mexico State Auditor statues, waste is defined as “…the act of using or expending resources carelessly, extravagantly, or to no purpose."(NMAC 2.2.2.7(W).
    
    
  • Possible Allowable Alternatives - Try this Instead:
    • If a unit has funds available at the UNM Foundation, the Foundation may be able to pay for these expenses directly. With the UNM Foundation existing as a legally separate Non-Profit entity and not a governmental entity like the University, New Mexico government spending restrictions do not apply to funds that are disbursed directly by the Foundation.