INDEPENDENCE, Mo. — A new travel policy adopted by Independence city 
leaders will provide more transparency regarding travel on behalf of elected officials. On Monday, the City Council voted unanimously to approve the new policy, introduced following a 41 Action News investigation that revealed Councilman Tom Van Camp spent thousands of dollars on trips 
he refused to explain. Planned, out-of-town trips will be added to the schedule ahead of time. While nothing prevents the mayor or a member of the City Council from traveling, the purpose of the trips will be discussed publicly. The mayor and the rest of the council must also share what was gained from their journeys when they return. The city will also post information about each trip on its website.
