Council Retreat

Jason Whitely reports

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DALLAS - Inside Dallas City Hall, scissors have worked themselves hot looking for items to cut from the budget. The city is perfecting its penny pinching as it struggles with a $190-million deficit.

Foliage, a photographer and other expenses have already been cut from next week's city council inauguration ceremony. But, the annual retreat council members take has not.

Two years ago, no one thought twice about decorating and documenting the city council inauguration ceremony. But, next week's event will look decidedly different as the city struggles with the large budget shortfall.

The traditional council breakfast won't be served, saving $16,000. The cut flowers and foliage along the stage will save taxpayers $3,000. Plus, there will be no professional photographer, saving another $3,000.

But, Mayor Tom Leppert hasn't yet cut out the annual council retreat set for the end of next month. Mayor Leppert hasn't decided where to go, but said he likes the idea of the new council getting away overnight, removing members from the day-to-day demands of their districts to build relationships and focus on priorities.

"I don't know why everybody has to be on the same page," said Sharon Boyd, a former city council candidate and critic of the retreat. "It seems to me this council would be better served with more independent thinkers."

Last year's council retreat happened at the new Audubon Center in South Dallas. Food and a facilitator cost taxpayers $2,712.57.

But, the year before the mayor took the council on an overnight trip to the Garrett Creek Ranch in Wise County. On that trip, food and a facilitator and rooms for everyone totaled $7,798.80.

Though he found that productive, the mayor hasn't decided what to do yet.

"We're going to be selling our animals at the zoo," Boyd said. "This council shouldn't be wasting money on bonding experiences."

While the cost of a council retreat would barely be noticeable in the city's $1.9 billion budget, it's a perception of spending money the city doesn't have.

E-mail jwhitely@wfaa.com