Mayor Yemi signs regulation strengthening rules for use of city resources following audit

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) -- Mayor Yemi Mobolade has signed a new administrative regulation establishing clear policies governing the use of city-owned vehicles and protective detail for elected officials. In early April, KRDO13 Investigates discovered that the Colorado Springs Office of the City Auditor was looking into allegations that Mayor Yemi used a city-issued vehicle for personal use.

The Auditor found five instances in 2025 in which the elected official was accompanied by a member of their security detail.

These included:

1. The elected official picked up their children from school, and all individuals proceeded to the City
   Administration Building.
2. The elected official attended the child's elementary school graduation and then attended a City event.
3. After attending a City event, the elected official picked up the child from school and then proceeded to another City event.
4. Between City events, the elected official and the security detail picked up dry cleaning.
5. Before attending a City event, the elected official and security detail picked up dry cleaning.

The auditor ruled the personal stops were incidental to official city business. They say they did not find evidence that the security detail was directed to perform any personal errands on behalf of the elected official alone.

KRDO13 reached out to Mayor Yemi Mobolade for comment during its investigation in April and received the following statement:

"The audit report confirmed City resources were used appropriately. I appreciate the City Auditor’s thorough review of this matter, particularly because no policy related to this currently exists. As we do with all reports, my administration will take the Audit Committee’s recommendation under consideration as we work to strengthen transparency and accountability moving forward."

- Mayor Yemi Mobolade

According to the city, this new regulation is due to the City Auditor's review, which found that resources were used appropriately but recommended establishing clearer, enforceable policies.

This regulation provides clearer guidelines for the following:

• The use of protective detail and 
• The personal use of city-owned vehicles, including reimbursement requirements and limits on family use.
• More stringent limits than those outlined in Policy #56 of the City of Colorado Springs Civilian Personnel Policies and Procedures Manual, which applies to Council and Mayoral appointees employed by the city. 

The new provisions made are the following, according to the city:

• 2.2: An elected official may be provided with a City-owned vehicle for their official use. If the elected official’s normal work week includes more than 40 hours of City work, that elected official may use the vehicle for incidental personal tasks within the City of Colorado Springs, including detours as defined in Colorado workers’ compensation law and tasks occurring between a City-related purpose and the elected official’s home. This may include, e.g., dropping off a child at school or day care on the way to work. If the elected official’s trip is outside of the City of Colorado Springs or is within the City but solely for personal purposes, then the elected official shall reimburse the City at the IRS mileage rate. Otherwise, the mileage attributable to personal tasks in the City-owned vehicle shall be reported to the IRS as a fringe benefit. Use of a City-owned vehicle by an elected official shall comply with IRS regulations.
• 2.3: Family members of an elected official shall generally not be permitted to drive a City-owned vehicle in non-exigent circumstances. Should non-exigent use occur, the elected official shall reimburse the City at the IRS-established rate.

The city says that Mayor Yemi reviewed his prior use of the city vehicle and has reimbursed the city the full amount of $276.95. They report he has also donated $110.57 to the city for the 152.5 miles of vehicle use by his wife during the summer of 2025.

“This regulation reflects my commitment to clear expectations and responsible use of taxpayer dollars,” said Mayor Yemi Mobolade. “Existing policy allowed certain personal use of City-owned vehicles, but this regulation provides clearer guidance and stronger consistency moving forward and holds me and the Office of the Mayor to a higher standard. Transparency matters, and I believe it’s important to align past use with these updated expectations so residents can have confidence in how City resources are managed.”

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