Spending other people’s money is way too easy, as this story illustrates. The fact that no City of Raleigh staff member blinked an eye at spending $9,854.66 on hors d’oeurves and drinks for a city council reception is absolutely outrageous. And, as the News & Observer rightly points out (kudos to the N&O), the $10K party comes as the council is talking about a property tax increase for the very people who footed the bill for the party. From the N&O:
Taxpayers shelled out nearly $10,000 for food and drink at a reception for the newly sworn-in City Council on Monday, one day before members began discussing a possible property tax increase.
The public reception was planned for 300 people at the Raleigh Convention Center and organized by Jayne Kirkpatrick, director of the city’s public affairs department.
On the menu: fresh fruit, imported and domestic cheese trays with crackers, antipasti, hibachi beef skewers and curried chicken kebabs, at $23 per person.
To wash it down, city taxpayers paid an additional $8 a person for a selection of chardonnay and merlot wines, beer, sodas and bottled water.
You can’t make it up. Unfortunately, Raleigh taxpayers have to live with it.
