Commissioners Spend More than $20,000 on Florida Trip

Opinion: When’s the last time you paid $416.20 per night for a hotel room? Me neither, but your tax dollars allowed each Hoke County Commissioner to bask in that luxury last month.

Luxury Accommodations

When all five Hoke County Commissioners attended the National Association of Counties Annual Conference, Hoke County paid $416.20 per night, per commissioner, for five nights in separate hotel rooms. Total cost, per commissioner, for a place to rest that weary head, totaled $2,081. Our freedom of information act request failed to inquire about mints on the pillow, open wet bar, free macadamia nuts, complementary pedicures, facials and waxing. We apologize for the oversight.

Don’t be angry because they didn’t double up to save tax dollars. There’s a good reason. It’s tough to fit one of those egos in a single room—regardless of size—much less two. Attempts to do so would blow out the room’s windows, shatter glass on the beach and limit their sunbathing time.

They also make up rules like schoolyard bullies. Arguments would, no doubt, break out over bubble-bath schedules and who gets the oceanside-view bed. Were hotel security called it wouldn’t reflect well on the county, after all. Putting them on different floors should be in the employee manual.

It’s also uncertain how many family members, loved ones and associates accompanied each commissioner. That’s not available in public records.

In addition, one commissioner has yet to file his travel expense report, although funds allotted for meals are reflect in the document (below). Assuming his hotel rate was identical, not a penthouse (we have asked), total hotel charges sum up to $10,405.  

Food

The five-night stay for a four-day conference is confirmed in the amount they are paid per diem for meals when traveling on “business” out of state. It’s $200 a day, and each commissioner received a total of $1,200 to feed their faces during the trip.

The total food bill alone comes to $6,000. That converts to 750 McDonalds Happy Meals in areas where they charge as much as $8 each, or 3,000 Taco Bell tacos at $1.99. Crunchy or soft, take your pick. Remember, there’s no toy in the bag.

Other Counties Sent Only One

It cost Hoke County $530 for every commission to register for the event. That total bill comes to $2,650 (when adding for what will be included when that late report is filed, think 2026 BTW). Admittedly, gatherings like this are expensive, but the number of illuminati we sent appears excessive compared to other counties.

According to the National Association of Counties there are 3,069 counties, parishes and boroughs nationwide. Its annual conference attracts 3,000 attendees.

That’s an average of less than one representative from each county at the gala. Hoke County paid for five to attend, when fiscally responsible areas saved that cash for other things like, oh, maybe investing in their schools.

Flights

Airfare, believe it or not, was the lowest of all expenses. Unfortunately, it’s impossible to accurately report because of that procrastinating commissionert (see schoolyard bully reference above).

Prices paid by the county ranged from $842.95 to $345.20. Total cost for the four statements received comes to $2,582.55.

Non-Financial Loss

The regularly scheduled Hoke County Commission meeting was cancelled as they traveled to sunny Florida. The short notice caught many constituents by surprise.

The National Associations of Counties schedules its annual conferences more than a year in advance, so it didn’t come as a surprise. The fact Hoke County needed to make reservations for officials at least a month in advance—yet failed to let constituents know in a timely fashion the commission would not be meeting—drew loud criticism and added to the increasingly vocal cries for change.   

Painful Totals

(All figures based on the document above provided by Hoke County)

$10,405 (*)—Hotel

$6,000—Meals

$2,650(*)—Registration

$2,582.55(!)—Airfare

Total: $21,637.55

*Assumes the commissioner already granted meal per diem for the trip files identical amounts as other commissioners when he “finds time” to submit an expense report.

!Does not include airfare for commissioner whose expense report is tardy

And don’t forget to get your “Fire Leach ‘24” T-shirts while they last.

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