Demopolis Mayor Mike Grayson withdrew a request to be reimbursed for mileage from 2010 during Thursday’s city council meeting.

During the auditing process, Grayson learned he could be reimbursed for local miles driven while conducting city business.

He submitted a request to be reimbursed for 1,223 miles from 2010, which equaled $611.75.

City councilman Harris Nelson asked why it had taken so long to ask for the mileage.

“I wasn’t aware I should be doing that — that this was eligible,” Grayson said.

If the mayor uses a personal vehicle for city business, he or she should be reimbursed those miles, according to auditor Richard LeCroy with LeCroy, Hunter and Company, P.C.

“The mayor was made aware he could do that,” LeCroy said.

Following a brief discussion, councilman Charles Jones Jr. made a motion to go into executive session to discuss a “financial matter.”

After coming back from the closed meeting, Grayson withdrew his request for 2010 reimbursement, and the council adjourned.

Grayson said he has already been reimbursed $898 for local miles drive in 2009 and had planned to submit miles from 2012 and 2013.

The city’s travel policy requires miles to be turned in 15 days after the travel occurred, LeCroy said. Any exceptions would require council approval.

In other business, the council approved three budget amendments for the police department, all related to payments from Crossgates Apartments for security and equipment.

The council also gave final approval to an ordinance that deals with late business licenses. Starting in 2015, all business licenses will be considered delinquent if not paid by Feb. 1, and a 15 percent penalty will be added to the total cost.

After Feb. 15, there will be a $100 a day fee added to the 15 percent penalty and businesses will be given a warning by the city’s code enforcement officer.

On March 1, any business that hasn’t bought a license will be served a municipal court summon and be required to pay all fines, penalties and court costs.

The council passed the ordinance 5-1. Jones voted against the measure.