Decatur County raises travel per diem to $60, requires receipts and allows tips up to 15%

Decatur County commissioners voted June 15 to raise the county travel per diem to $60 per day and to require receipts for reimbursement, the board confirmed at its regular meeting.

The change followed a staff-led discussion about inconsistent practices across counties and whether per diem (PDM) payments should be issued up front or reimbursed after travel. Commissioners settled on receipts-based reimbursement “to reimburse you up to this amount,” as one participant summarized during debate, and approved the amendment by voice vote.

Commissioners also approved a related amendment to permit gratuities of up to 15% for travel meals when reimbursed. The board discussed limiting use of county credit cards for meals and agreed that meal charges should typically be reimbursed by receipt rather than placed on county cards, with narrow exceptions for hotel tax exemption practices.

Why it matters: The change aims to standardize how county employees and elected officials are compensated for travel expenses and to reduce inconsistent practices that had emerged when some travelers received PDM in advance while others were required to submit receipts.

What’s next: The travel policy language will be updated to reflect the $60 per-day limit, the receipts requirement, and the 15% tipping cap. The county also discussed a half-day per diem rate and other administrative clarifications to be finalized in policy documents.