Homelessness, affordable housing and domestic violence are topics of public concern and of personal interest to members of the Auburn City Council.

But with some of the conferences, forums and the like on these issues unfolding far away from Auburn, there’s always the question of who gets to travel this time.

Not only does travel cost money, but at the moment the final authorization on out-of-state travel rests with the mayor, not the council.

Ever since last November, council members have been talking about changing that.

Last week, council members Bill Peloza, Yolanda Trout-Manuel and Bob Baggett, who compose the ad-hoc committee recently charged with studying the issue, continued the conversation.

Based on how many of the seven council members would be traveling in a year, the three estimated the costs of conference registration, airfare to get there and back, lodging and meals and came up with a $7,000 yearly travel allowance for each council member.

That is, a total approved budget of $49,000 for 2017, and a bit more for 2018. Peloza noted that the council already approved that amount in the 2017-2018 City budget it adopted last November.

But, Peloza asked, what happens if one of the council members has to exceed his or her budget?

“He or she may then go to the deputy mayor and say, ‘Hey, I’d like to attend this conference or this training class,’ but the deputy mayor will then discuss this with other council members, and we can move that budget to allow that council members to go,” Peloza said.

According to City Attorney Dan Heid, once the City Council reaches consensus on its travel policy, it will be folded into council rules and procedures.

Three council members have chosen to attend the National League of Cities Conference in Washington, D.C., in March. The Washington League of Cities Conference convenes later this year.