2025 travel fee supplemental increase

[dammitbobby]

One of the "selling points" of the 10-year structured fee increase for officials, was that even though we receive regular (biannual, I think) travel fee increases, TASO still reserved the right to go back and get larger travel fee increases should that be justified due to economic circumstances. Given the current state of gas prices, and the likelihood of them staying exceptionally elevated for a significant period of time, is TASO doing anything to move forward with the assurance to officials, and advocating for higher travel fees?

If anyone has any info, would love to know what's being discussed/addressed.

[ElvisLives]

A good and appropriate question. Pose that to your District Director. Let us know what you hear.

[dammitbobby]

A good and appropriate question. Pose that to your District Director. Let us know what you hear.

Done, will report back when I have an answer.

[dammitbobby]

Here's the email chain:

Dear Director,
One of the "selling points" of the 10-year structured fee increase for officials, was that even though we receive regular (biannual, I think) travel fee increases, TASO still reserved the right to go back and get larger travel fee increases should that be justified due to economic circumstances. Given the current state of gas prices, and the likelihood of them staying exceptionally elevated for a significant period of time, is TASO doing anything to move forward with advocating for higher travel fees?
 
Any info/insight you can provide, would be appreciated… and if this is not a current topic of discussion for TASO, I would appreciate it if you can bring it up… I know I am far, far from the only official who is concerned that even with the scheduled increase, we will be at a net loss in wages because of higher gas expenses, especially for chapters who cover extensive geographical areas.

*****

Hello TASO Member! The pay plan is scheduled for a $5.00 per gate level increase this year. As for travel, the per mile travel fee reimbursement rate is set by the state each year, which is currently 72.5 cents per mile. TASO cannot modify that rate.

*****
Hi Director,
 
For the mileage, that’s only if you’re going above band 3, correct, when actual mileage rates become relevant, correct?
 
My understanding (and that of many others) is that the travel fees for the bands was somewhat elastic, in that TASO could request an increase in the band fees, if the economic circumstances were such that it became necessary. Is that not the case, are the travel fees locked in, and cannot be adjusted based on economic conditions when necessary?

*****

Hello TASO Member! You are correct. That is outside the rings. The travel rings were established with TASO and the UIL taking in account that not all schools are at the max distance within the rings, so it was to “average out” during the season. Also, realizing that the costs of gas fluctuate throughout the year, they would review at the beginning of the season. I will bring this up to the Board, however, for further discussion. Thank you for reaching out!

*****

So that's where we're at.

On a related note, I've never understood why TASO agreed to force officials - who are independent contractors - to carpool to save schools money.

[blindtxzebra]

Brought up tonight on the quarterly TASO chapter officer meeting. The powers that be said nothing will be changed because it is too late to change it and gas will probably be down anyway. Plus nobody did anything about giving money back last year when fuel was $1.89/gallon (exact words). However if the state mileage rate goes up Aug 1 then the portal to portal rate will be higher. Very helpful info…..

[dammitbobby]

That's a BS answer, for several reasons.

If it's "too late to change it" then what is the deadline? I'd like to know. It's obviously not August 1.

"giving money back last year" - holy hell, does the TASO Board really think that??  By that logic, should I reimburse my employer if I receive a set stipend for internet and cell phone usage, and my cost is lower one month than the stipend? Should military members have to return their housing/utilities allowances if their rent and bills come in lower than expenses?

The answer to both is a resounding NO.

They're really conflating two things here. No, officials shouldn't have to give money back, EVER, because the current rate, is what was agreed to by schools and the UIL and TASO. The ask was whether TASO would go to bat for its officials and ask for an increase in the travel fee to help offset higher fuel costs. If gas prices go down, GREAT! No change needed. But what if they keep going up? Would it not be prudent to at least be prepared to have a discussion with UIL on this topic?

We're already getting screwed on the bands, especially Bands 2 and 3.

No one's asking for a pay raise.  The travel fee is a reimbursement for costs incurred, NOT pay itself. It's entirely reasonable to have this conversation with UIL in today's economic environment.

[blindtxzebra]

That's a BS answer, for several reasons.

If it's "too late to change it" then what is the deadline? I'd like to know. It's obviously not August 1.

"giving money back last year" - holy hell, does the TASO Board really think that??  By that logic, should I reimburse my employer if I receive a set stipend for internet and cell phone usage, and my cost is lower one month than the stipend? Should military members have to return their housing/utilities allowances if their rent and bills come in lower than expenses?

The answer to both is a resounding NO.

They're really conflating two things here. No, officials shouldn't have to give money back, EVER, because the current rate, is what was agreed to by schools and the UIL and TASO. The ask was whether TASO would go to bat for its officials and ask for an increase in the travel fee to help offset higher fuel costs. If gas prices go down, GREAT! No change needed. But what if they keep going up? Would it not be prudent to at least be prepared to have a discussion with UIL on this topic?

We're already getting screwed on the bands, especially Bands 2 and 3.

No one's asking for a pay raise.  The travel fee is a reimbursement for costs incurred, NOT pay itself. It's entirely reasonable to have this conversation with UIL in today's economic environment.

I agree wholeheartedly. Those words came from our current executive director, soon to be Emeritus Executive Director.

[bctgp]

Travel Pay plan that fits all scenarios is really challenging. I know many of our chapters outside large metro areas on average probably drive farther than chapters in large meter areas in general.  I am not sure there is a single plan that works for all chapters. But I will say, if we were to hypothetically get a raise in travel pay because gas cost is up substantially currently. What happens if gas goes back down to closer to $2 gallon by time season starts do we ask to lower travel pay? I'm sure we also know members that drive a few blocks to a school for games and get whatever travel pay is for that site from chapter center point vs we have members that drive to schools closer to chapter center point than their home and get less travel pay. I struggle to find a truly fair travel pay solution that is fair for all scenarios.  Does anyone have any suggestions?

[Whodatboy18]

Pay the state mileage rate for the distance each official travels from their home to the game. Simple, legal, and indisputable.

[dammitbobby]

Travel Pay plan that fits all scenarios is really challenging. I know many of our chapters outside large metro areas on average probably drive farther than chapters in large meter areas in general.  I am not sure there is a single plan that works for all chapters. But I will say, if we were to hypothetically get a raise in travel pay because gas cost is up substantially currently. What happens if gas goes back down to closer to $2 gallon by time season starts do we ask to lower travel pay? I'm sure we also know members that drive a few blocks to a school for games and get whatever travel pay is for that site from chapter center point vs we have members that drive to schools closer to chapter center point than their home and get less travel pay. I struggle to find a truly fair travel pay solution that is fair for all scenarios.  Does anyone have any suggestions?

"What happens if gas goes back down to closer to $2 gallon by time season starts do we ask to lower travel pay?" One way to do this, is to have the increase tied to a set threshold - let's say $4/gal (basis would be the national average of gas, or state average, if it's available). if it goes, and stays, above that point for 30 days, then the travel increase kicks in. If it goes below a certain point, say $2.50/gal, then the extra is simply not paid.

"I'm sure we also know members that drive a few blocks to a school for games and get whatever travel pay is for that site from chapter center point vs we have members that drive to schools closer to chapter center point than their home and get less travel pay." Like Whodatboy said, the equitable solution is a straight mileage fee, just like the IRS does for every other "independent contractor" who files taxes.

Regardless of a supplemental increase, TASO needs to address the bands. For those who don't see the issue, let me give you an analogy.

Three officials are working three different games, and their travel fee is set using the bands, and the distance they drive is exactly in the middle of the band, roundtrip.

•   Official 1 drives 30 miles. They are paid $20 for a travel fee.
•   Official 2 drives 90 miles. They are paid $35 for a travel fee.
•   Official 3 drives 150 miles. They are paid $50 for a travel fee.

Now let's look at what each official is actually paid per mile:

•   Official 1: $20 ÷ 30 miles = $0.67/mile
•   Official 2: $35 ÷ 90 miles = $0.39/mile
•   Official 3: $50 ÷ 150 miles = $0.32/mile

The more you drive, the less you are compensated per mile. Significantly more, in fact. Official 3 is getting reimbursed per mile less than half of Official A, even though they're doing the same thing (driving) – just more of it.

And let’s not forget the fact that for beyond Band 3, where exact mileage is paid, we get screwed even more with multiple cars. Gas costs the same per mile regardless of how far you go, or how many cars are driving.

I’m not advocating for officials to profit in any way from mileage, only to have mileage paid at the current government authorized rates. That’s fair to everyone, including schools. When coaches/staff go to clinics/events/conferences etc. in their own vehicles, I’d bet they get their mileage reimbursed at the IRS rate – we should be able to get the same.

[bctgp]

Pay the state mileage rate for the distance each official travels from their home to the game. Simple, legal, and indisputable.

The problem is while the vast majority of officials are honest, some would game the mileage to get more than they are allowed. I do like what was said earlier about setting thresholds - seems it would help address  gas prices when high and when low.

[Whodatboy18]

They don't seem worried about officials gaming the system when the travel is greater than 90 miles. I don't see a reason why it should change for any mileage less than that threshold. Each official already registers their address with TASO each year as it is required to complete the background check. The schools can be provided that address to verify if needed. The officials already provide their address to the schools so that they know where to send the game check.

[dammitbobby]

They don't seem worried about officials gaming the system when the travel is greater than 90 miles. I don't see a reason why it should change for any mileage less than that threshold. Each official already registers their address with TASO each year as it is required to complete the background check. The schools can be provided that address to verify if needed. The officials already provide their address to the schools so that they know where to send the game check.

^^^This right here. Easy fix. They have the paysheets (or can look up the official's address in Arbiter or any other payment platform.