BRUNSWICK - The Georgia Ports Authority unanimously voted Monday to adopt strict new spending procedures aimed at curbing travel extravagances. <br>
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The policies will prohibit all unnecessary first-class air travel, encourage employees to stay only in preferred hotels with negotiated rates and limit meal expenses on out-of-town trips to $65 a day. <br>
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The authority will continue to pay for rental cars, but only when no other type of transportation is available. <br>
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The new policies, which were drawn up by a consultant from American Express, go into effect June 1. <br>
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Earlier this month, authority board officials said the state agency will cut 34 of its 38 private club memberships assigned to staffers at a cost of nearly $60,000. <br>
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The Ports Authority dropped the private clubs less than a month after The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported on travel and entertainment expenses, and club memberships for executives and sales staff the Savannah-based agency. <br>
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The Georgia Ports Authority -- which was created in 1945 -- operates ocean and inland river ports within the state, including the ports of Savannah and Brunswick, and the Bainbridge and Columbus barge terminals. <br>
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It brings nearly $1.8 billion to the state, according to the agency.
