Accountability is vital for our government leaders. That’s especially true when leaders spend public funds.

Public spending on some items is fairly easy to see — roads paved, drainage projects completed, etc.

Other spending can be more difficult for taxpayers to clearly see, let alone judge its value to the public. One of those spending categories is traveling on the taxpayer’s dime.

A review of Adams County’s travel records for the current fiscal year raises a few eyebrows.

While we found no evidence of illegal spending, some travel expenses indicate a little more public scrutiny and accountability is in order.

For example, state law allows government workers to claim a per diem expense of $36 per day to cover meals while traveling. That seems reasonable for three meals — roughly $12 per meal. An additional 20-percent may be reimbursed to allow for tips to a restaurant’s wait staff.

But should supervisors claim the full reimbursement while they’re attending a conference at which at least some of, if not all, the meals are included and thus no tipping would be necessary?

We think not. Doing that violates the state’s own travel policy, and it’s certainly unfair to taxpayers.

Public officials need to constantly question both the necessity of travel with public funds as well as the fairness of any reimbursement.

Mississippi law requires travel expenses of county supervisors be published as a public legal notice.

We’re not aware that Adams County has followed this requirement in recent years, but clearly it should.

Following the public notice requirement would quickly communicate travel information to taxpayers, keeping public leaders on their toes at all times, not just when reporters begin scrutinizing records and asking questions.