Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Government Affairs topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Council weighs support for FAST Fly-In travel and membership in national municipal leagues
Summary
A council member asked the council to fund travel to the Florida League of Cities FAST Fly-In and to consider a National League of Cities membership to access committees and grant contacts; council asked staff for budget details and to consult the town's paid lobbyist before deciding.
Lake Clarke Shores — Council members discussed whether to support funding a council member's travel to the Florida League of Cities (FLC) FAST Fly-In in Washington, D.C., and whether the town should join or temporarily subscribe to the National League of Cities (NLC) to get committee access and reduced conference costs.
The requesting council member described the potential benefits of meeting congressional and committee staffers and said the FLC "FAST" Fly-In registration, airfare and hotel were estimated at about $1,800. He also said NLC membership would be roughly $1,000 and could reduce registration costs for future events. "If we get any grant out of this, this cost will more than pay for itself," he said. (Unidentified Council Member, request.)
Several council members said they wanted more information before committing public funds. They asked staff to bring budget numbers, consider per-diem rates, and consult the town's paid lobbyist about the value of league memberships and whether the lobbyist could secure meetings. Staff said travel costs could be covered from the travel line in the budget and offered to prepare a memo for the next agenda with cost options.
No motion to fund travel or to buy memberships was adopted tonight; council asked staff for a written recommendation and budget figures.
