The governing body of any city of this state, however organized, may appropriate such reasonable sums of money as it deems proper to defray the expenses of members of its regularly organized fire department in attending the state convention of the Minnesota State Fire Department Association, the Minnesota State Fire School, and to meetings of regional firefighter's associations.
The term "expenses" shall include payment of a reasonable per diem while in attendance at any such meeting to members of a fire department who are not on a fixed monthly salary.