Grand Traverse County commissioners voted Wednesday night to eliminate a cap on per diem reimbursement for attending county-related meetings. Previously, the county had a three-meeting per day limit for reimbursement and a total daily maximum of $90. Under the new regulations, commissioners will receive a flat $35 per meeting per diem payment or $70 for an all-day conference.

Commissioners Wednesday also authorized a not-to-exceed $8,000 contract with Governmental Finance Officers Association to provide advisory services related to the county's upcoming results-based budgeting project. GFOA will guide the board through that process and provide an "action plan" to help them implement its practices. Grand Traverse County Commissioner Christine Maxbauer called the process one that is "transparent to the public" and "that empowers employees."

"I hope to show you by the end of 2016 real results (from results-based budgeting)," Maxbauer told residents at Wednesday's night meeting.