Lehighton’s former emergency management coordinator has accused a borough official of altering his reimbursement for transportation receipts.

Joe Flickinger told borough council at last week’s meeting that on May 5, the borough violated Pennsylvania Title 35, which states each appointed coordinator is to be reimbursed for actual expenses incurred in the performance of his duties and attendance at scheduled meetings.

Flickinger said that he attended the G-271 Hazardous Weather and Flooding course conducted by the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency on April 23 to 24. PEMA requires emergency management coordinators to attend specific training courses and achieve certification.

He said that after successfully completing the municipal professional certification course, he submitted a reimbursement for transportation receipts in the amount of $194 to the borough.

However, Flickinger said borough Manager Dane DeWire altered Flickinger’s statement from $194 to $72.

He said that by holding the funds, the borough continues to violate Pennsylvania Title 35.

After the meeting, DeWire said that “per protocol, the former EMC was afforded the IRS mileage rate for travel earlier this year, which is currently 70 cents per mile. In this specific situation, the IRS rate was provided in lieu of paying four invoices expensed for ridesharing services.”

“The federal business rate came to $121.61 less than the expensed Uber receipts,” DeWire said. “It was explained to the EMC that we have no control over the rideshare market and how those prices fluctuate, which is why we use the default IRS rate for all travel conducted by borough staff, appointed officials, and elected officials.”