Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Government Finance topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Delta County adopts updated per‑diem and travel policy after extensive debate on MAC representation
Summary
After hours of discussion about commissioner compensation and representation on state committees, the Delta County Board adopted a revised per‑diem and travel reimbursement policy that clarifies meeting eligibility, mileage for committee chairs, and disclosure of outside compensation.
The Delta County Board of Commissioners on March 4 adopted a revised per‑diem and travel reimbursement policy that narrows what meetings qualify for per‑diem and clarifies mileage reimbursement for certain chair duties, after extended debate about whether county taxpayers should cover commissioners’ attendance on state‑level boards.
The policy update — the product of multiple committee reviews over recent weeks — adds language specifying that per‑diem and mileage rules apply to county business meetings (meetings with a formal call to order and call to close) and updates references to local organizations. It also clarifies that the board salary covers general duties while per‑diem applies to specified meetings and duties.
Why it matters: Commissioners said clearer rules will reduce ambiguity about when taxpayers reimburse travel and meeting attendance, and will provide a consistent approach for chairs and special duties.
Main changes and rationale - Township association language: The policy replaces a broader reference to the Michigan Townships Association with a locally focused reference to the Delta County Township Association for reimbursement eligibility related to township representation. - Chair mileage: The policy permits mileage reimbursement for chairs of county committees/subcommittees to cover required, non‑meeting actions (for example, travel to sign or process documents when not part of a formal meeting). - MAC representation: The policy was revised to allow commissioners who serve on Michigan Association of Counties (MAC) committees or boards to be eligible for per‑diem for those meetings; the board will disclose any outside compensation that commissioners receive for such appointments.
Board debate Commissioners spent considerable time debating whether MAC committees — regional or state boards attended via Zoom or in person — should be paid by Delta County. Supporters argued that attending MAC committees gives commissioners information that benefits county operations and that some representation duties involve real time commitments. Opponents said MAC service is not a statutory duty of the county commissioner role and that the base salary should cover voluntary activities; they cautioned about the optics of taxpayers paying per‑diem for external boards.
Board action Commissioner Williams moved adoption of the policy with several specific edits (changing the township reference and clarifying language on MAC committees); Commissioner Johnson seconded. The motion passed by voice vote.
Ending Administrators said the new policy will be distributed to commissioners and posted with job descriptions and other county personnel materials. Commissioners suggested an eventual broader review of all county job descriptions to ensure consistent technology and skills requirements across roles.
