By: Cheryl Thurston
BladenOnline.com recently received several posts on our guestbook concerning the expenditures of the County Commissioners who attended the NACo Expo, which took place in Charlotte, in July. Bladen County was cited as spending the most of any of the 5 counties that sent delegates to the Expo, a total of $7,349.00, which included registration, lodging, and travel expenses for the 5 Commissioners who attended. That seems to have raised some questions when compared to the $3,007.00 spent by neighboring Columbus County.
Here is a breakdown of the costs associated with the trip: First of all, there was a $490.00 per person registration fee, and the Bladen County Commissioners room charges were $209.00 per room per night, with $33.00 allowed for meals each day, according to the County Manager’s Office. The travel reimbursement for the 5 delegates totaled $900.00. The 5 delegates from Bladen County were: Russel Priest, James Smith, Wayne Edge, Michael Cogdell, and Arthur Bullock.
Some of our readers have asked why the Commissioners drove separate vehicles and did not share hotel rooms, like Columbus County Commissioners did. Why did Bladen County send 5 delegates? What was the advantage to the taxpayers? Did Bladen County Commissioners attend all the sessions? Should the Commissioners deliver a report detailing their trip?
Carpooling has been done in the past by Bladen County Commissioners for conferences such as this, but there was no reason given for driving separate vehicles this time around. As for the NACo Expo, this year was their 80th anniversary celebration, so that might explain sending 5 delegates to represent the county. The advantage to the taxpayers rests in the function and purpose of NACo.
NACo (National Association of Counties) was founded in 1935 to bring county commissioners together to exchange ideas, build leadership skills, and discuss cost effective solutions to county issues. NACo also serves to strengthen the public’s voice on matters of national policy, and enhance the public’s awareness of their local county governments.
The attendance of meetings/sessions/workshops is unknown but you may read the agenda for the Expo by clicking the link: NACO Expo 2015 Schedule
BladenOnline.com spoke with Maria Edwards at the Bladen County Tax Office, and asked if the delegates were required to deliver a report of any kind, following the Expo. “Not to my knowledge,” she said, “if they make any report, it doesn’t come to me.”
Our County Commissioners are making another trip this weekend. Arthur Bullock, Michael Cogdell, and James Smith are attending the NCACC 108th Annual Conference August 20 – 23, in Greenville. Our readers may have some questions for them when they get back. Which is exactly what the public should do when they have a question about our local government. Get involved and ask your representatives the reasons why things are done this way or that way. Our commissioners will welcome your input.
BladenOnline.com welcomes all the questions we get from our readers, and we will do our best to find the answers you seek. Please feel free to use our guestbook to post your comments or concerns. And thank you for reading BladenOnline.com.
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