Fallon County approves new travel meal rates, signs routine motion package

Fallon County commissioners on Oct. 7 approved a change to the county’s travel reimbursement schedule after staff reported that Montana House Bill 13 changed the state baseline to 70% of the federal per diem for meals, effective July 1, 2025. Commissioners voted to set a flat in‑state meal rate of $45 and an out‑of‑state rate of $63, and to provide retroactive pay for county employees back to July 1.

The change followed a staff update that the federal full per‑diem equates to roughly $63 and that 70% of that total equals about $44.10. “We’ll put it in motion to retroact back to July 1,” said Chair Kevin Braun during discussion as staff outlined payroll adjustments. Commissioner Mandy Varner made the motion to adopt the new flat rates; Braun seconded. The motion carried.

Also during the meeting the board approved several routine administrative items: authorization for two county staff to attend the Montana Emergency Managers Association conference, approval of monthly payroll and withholdings, signing of an airport lease with Miles City pending final filings, and vendor maintenance agreements. The board approved end‑of‑month claims totaling $295,233.94 and certified payrolls and lien‑release practices were reiterated for an active hospital renovation project.

The county clerk will implement the updated reimbursement schedule and process retroactive adjustments through payroll, per staff guidance. Commissioners directed staff to present the letter template offered by a visitor seeking congressional support for permitting reform to the full board for consideration of any endorsement or participation.