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12.6 Cellular Phone Policy PURPOSE This policy is intended to define acceptable and unacceptable uses of city -provided cellular telephones. Its application is to ensure that cellular phone usage is consistent with the best interests of the City without unnecessary restriction of employees in the conduct of their duties. This policy will be implemented to prevent the improper use or abuse of cellular phones and to ensure that City employees exercise the highest standards of propriety in their use. POLICY Cellular telephones are intended for the use of City employees in the conduct of their work in the service of Ramsey citizens and businesses. Department heads are responsible for the cellular telephones assigned to their departments, determining service levels for their employees, and exercising discretion in their use. Employees will manage their cell phone use so as not to exceed their service level as approved by their supervisor. Occasional overages will be reviewed by the supervisor on a case by case basis. After a review of the monthly billing statement, employees may be required to reimburse the City for overages in cell use, depending on the nature of the calls made during the month. Employees will make an effort to utilize the Nextel Direct Connect and/or a land line before utilizing cellular minutes. Nothing in this policy will limit department head discretion to allow reasonable and prudent use of such telephones or equipment provided that: 1. Its use in no way limits the conduct of work of the employee or other employees. 2. No personal profit is gained or outside employment is served. A department head may authorize an employee to use their own personal phone for City business and be reimbursed by the City for those calls. An employee will not be reimbursed for business -related calls without prior authorization from his or her department head. Department heads may also prohibit employees from carrying their own personal cell phones during working hours if it interferes with the performance of their job duties. Use of public resources by City employees for personal gain and/or private use including, but not limited to, outside employment or political campaign purposes, is prohibited and punishable by disciplinary action which may include termination and/or criminal prosecution, depending on the nature and severity of the transgression. Incidental and occasional personal use may be permitted with the consent of the department director and direct supervisor. Personal calls made by employees on a City -provided cellular phone will be made or received only when absolutely necessary and when they do not interfere with working operations and should be completed as quickly as possible. PROCEDURES Version: 2006August8 9