From Staff Reports

Three Franklin County commissioners left for a national conference in Chicago on Friday.

County Manager Chris Coudriet and commissioners Sidney Dunston, Raymond Stone and Lynwood Buffaloe were expected to attend the National Association of County Commissioners conference, which wraps up next Wednesday.

Commissioners Robert Lee Swanson, Jimmie Gupton, Don Lancaster and Harry Foy did not attend the trip.

Commissioner Stone, who makes a routine of at least paying for half of his convention trips, said on Thursday that he felt obligated to attend as he sits on a steering committee that reviews unfunded, federal mandates placed on counties.

Commissioner Buffaloe said the trip is a beneficial county-funded expense for him.

“We get together, we network and talk about issues and gain insight into different things that will be good for Franklin County,” Buffaloe said Friday.

A phone call made to Dunston’s cell phone was not immediately returned.

He did not attend last year’s trip to Hawaii because of health reasons. Phone messages to Coudriet were not immediately returned.

According to NACO’s web site, the registration fee ranged in price from $440 to $600, depending on how soon one registered. According to Travelocity.com and Airfare.com on Friday, round-trip tickets from Raleigh-Durham to Chicago ranged in price from $316 to upwards of $750. Those prices are affected by how soon in advance they are booked.

Money for the trip comes from the county’s travel budget, which is $38,000.

The convention includes topics of discussion, such as public health and safety and land use.

Recreation is also involved, including a dinner cruise.

If commissioners or staff opt to use county funds to pay for the trip, they have to keep accountings of their expenses for reimbursement through the Finance Office.