The county spent $13,000 on out-of-state travel for county
employees over the past 12 months on five separate trips, according
to figures requested by the Free Lance in light of debate two weeks
ago that led to a supervisor canceling a trip to Nashville.
HOLLISTER
The county spent $13,000 on out-of-state travel for county employees over the past 12 months on five separate trips, according to figures requested by the Free Lance in light of debate two weeks ago that led to a supervisor canceling a trip to Nashville.
While three different county departments sent employees to conferences, with costs approved by the board, Supervisor Jaime De La Cruz was OK’d for three trips to National Association of Counties conferences.
The issue came about two weeks ago at the board meeting when officials debated whether to approve $2,700 to send De La Cruz to another NACO conference, in July, in Nashville. Supervisors ultimately approved the trip, but De La Cruz two days later announced he would forego the event due to the economy and San Benito County’s financial position.
Included in all of these trips are food allowances, airfare, car rentals, parking fees and lodging expenses.
Auditor Joe Paul Gonzalez said there is “no question” that the county has become more conscious about approving travel expenses for employees.
“As a department head myself, I’ve cut back on travel. I’ve ask my employees to be very selective about the training they need to have to do their work.”
He added he has noticed that other departments also have “curtailed their travel budgets.”
Supervisor Anthony Botelho, the board chairman, contended supervisors “have to scrutinize all travel, whether it’s out of state or in state.”
“If there’s something that’s not really measurable as far as bringing back a benefit to the county or services, then we shouldn’t be taking any trips,” Botelho said.
One argument in favor of attending such conferences is that they can spread knowledge on how to obtain grant funding or get involved in certain programs. Botelho said in his experiences traveling to outside conferences, there has not been such a benfit received.
De La Cruz believes the county gets “access to a wider array of information” and has access to national representatives at such events. He noted how at one conference he attended last year, he learned about a prescription drug discount program, which he is trying to start here, which could give locals without insurance 15 percent to 32 percent off of their medication prices.
Plus, he said, “It allows us to be more educated about what other jurisdictions are doing.”
Look for an expanded version of this story in Tuesday’s edition of the Free Lance.
