Upstate Counties Spend Thousands On Hilton Head Conference

Despite having to tighten budgets cut back services, Upstate counties still found thousands of dollars to send council members and staff to a five-day conference at a four-star beach resort.

Including one county that has to borrow money to make payroll.

The annual South Carolina Association of Counties conference was held July 31 - August 4 at the Hilton Head Island Marriot. WSPA requested dollar amounts spent on the conference by each county and how many people they sent. 

The numbers breakdown like this:

• Greenville, 11 people (8 council, 3 staff), $17,502
• Abbeville, 11 (8 and 3), $16,884
• Oconee, 7 (4 and 3), $8,722
• Cherokee, 5 (3 and 2),$7,888
• Pickens, 7 (3 and 4), $7,690
• Spartanburg, 5 (all council), $4,500
• Union, 1 (staff), $1,550
• Greenwood, 11 (8 and 3), $21,406

Anderson County is still compiling data on the expenses.

The numbers are interesting for a number of reasons. Why was Spartanburg County's expense so low?

Spartanburg County Council Chairman Jeff Horton paid for half of his hotel costs. And council member Michael Brown paid for all of his hotel expenses and mileage. And none of the five attendees received a per diem allowance for meals.

"During these times of fiscal pressure, taxpayers want us to be responsible and lead by example," said Brown.

Spartanburg County isn’t the only county facing “fiscal pressure.”

Abbeville County recently froze its budget and cut two ambulance stations. Employees have not received salary increases in three years. And on Monday, council voted to get a $1 million loan so it can make payroll until tax revenues come int.

But the county still spent almost as much as Greenville County on attending the conference. 

Interim Administrator Barry Devore defended the expense.

"This conference is the only training our council and staff get all year. They learn about budgeting, sources of funding, and how to network with other counties to get ideas that lead to more efficient government,” said Devore. Though he did admit that up to this point, no council members have presented ideas they gleaned from the conference.

"This was certainly anything but a vacation," said Devore. "We spent 90% of our time in workshops."

The Oconee County Administrator also said the conference, held in a resort complex with golf courses, tennis courts and beaches within sight, is not about relaxation.

"This wasn't fun and games. Most of our time is spent in classrooms and workshops," said Scott Moulder. "The more knowledge you provide the decision-makers, the better decisions they can make for the people of their county."

And Greenwood County's administrator says the conference has definitely paid a large return on the amount of taxpayer dollars invested.

"The value to the citizens comes from the unequalled information that is found at the SCAC conference," says Vic Carpenter. "Greenwood County has the lowest millage reage of any in the Upstate and the third lowest in South Carolina... It would appear the perceived value of participation in the conference is realized to the actual benefit to the citizens."

The choice of lodging for some of the conference attendees also raises some questions.

The Marriott, which hosted the conference, offered a special rate of $187 per night. However, Abbeville County attendees stayed at the Palmetto Dunes condos -- which is located on the same resort complex as the Marriott -- at $247 per night.

"I don't know why those condos were booked versus the Marriott because that decision was made by previous administration," said Devore.

And they weren't the only ones who stayed in fancier digs. Three Cherokee County council members -- Tim Spencer, Quay Little, and Tracy McDaniel -- stayed at Palmetto Dunes villas for $308 per night, according to assistant county administrator Holland Belue. Belue says he and administrator Ben Clary chose to stay at the Marriott.

Doris Pearson who serves as Clerk to Cherokee County Council says she booked the villas because the council members told her they would prefer to stay there versus the hotel. She says they did not ask her about cost difference.

However, McDaniel says he did not choose to stay at the villas.

"I just told her to put me wherever the others were staying," says McDaniel who is new to council. "I didn't care where I stayed."

Spencer has not been available for comment due to an illness in his family. Little has not returned calls seeking comment.