BPW spends nearly $6,000 on workshop in Greenville
By LARRY HILLIARD Ledger Staff Writer larry@gaffneyledger.com

The challenge - plan the Gaffney Board of Public Works' projects and goals and examine the budget in minute detail.

This year, the utility spent nearly $6,000 to accomplish the goal during its planning and budget workshop Feb. 9-10 at the Pointsett Westin Hotel in Greenville.

Gaffney Board of Public Works General Manager Donnie Hardin said the total tab for lodging, meals and travel for commissioners and staff came to $5,736.

The utility was charged $139 a night for a total lodging cost of $3,058, Hardin said. Rather than having the meals prepared and served by the hotel, Hardin said each commissioner and staff member received a $50 per diem for meals for a total cost of $2,300.

Utility personnel who drove their own vehicle were reimbursed for their fuel costs. That tab came to $388, Hardin said.

Prior to this year, the utility traveled to Western North Carolina for its workshop. Hardin said this year's expense sheet was in line with previous years' costs.

Hardin defended the utility's practice to travel out of town for its workshops.

"It allows us to have uninterrupted time to discuss matters in detail," he said. "We have gone eight years with only two minor rate increases. We are able to discuss how to cut expenses that have been beneficial to ratepayers. We can't discuss in detail if people are receiving phone calls or trying to get home for dinner. We are able to have their undivided attention for two full days."