City officials ran up approximately a $7,000 tab during their workshop last month in Greenville.

Mayor Henry Jolly was joined by six council members, city administrator James Taylor, City Clerk LeighAnn Turner, finance director Ginny Wallace and six department heads at the 3-day, 2-night event hosted at the Greenville Hyatt.

The bill for lodging came to $4,006.10, or $119 a night plus tax, according to information provided by the city finance department.

Meals, including breakfast, lunch and snacks, also came with a hefty price tag of about $3,000. City officials paid out of their own pockets for dinner.

The total cost for the workshop could change slightly since the city has yet to receive the final bill.

Last year, the city spent $4,508.79 to attend a 2-day, 1-night workshop at the Hyatt.

This year's workshop was extended an extra day because of a more comprehensive agenda, city officials said.

Jolly said the workshop was money well spent.

"Anytime we can all sit down and reason together, it's worth it," he said. "If we can implement what we worked on, it will be very beneficial to city council and the entire community."

He also defended the city's practice to travel out of town to meet.

"The City of Gaffney doesn't spend money on out-of-town retreats," he added. "We have a workshop and we work." $4,006.10 On $119-a-night rooms at the Greenville Hyatt $3,000 On food, including breakfast, lunch and snacks.

WHO WENT

Gaffney Mayor Henry Jolly

Members of Gaffney City Council

City administrator James Taylor

City clerk LeighAnn Turner

Finance director Ginny Wallace

Six department heads