City Council to discuss budget, economy at annual retreat

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. — Charlotte City Council members are in Winston-Salem Thursday for their annual retreat. This year's retreat is taking place at the Graylyn International Conference Center.

This is not the first time City Council has held a retreat involving travel.

The last retreat in 2012 took place in Pinehurst, and came with a price tag of $48,722.08. Costs included lodging, food, transportation, and two facilitators.

Here's how Charlotte's retreat compares with those of other major municipalities in North Carolina: Raleigh was going to spend more than $16,000 for an out-of-town retreat in Wilmington, but the trip was canceled due to inclement weather. It would have been the first retreat held outside of Raleigh in 25 years.

Asheville spent a little over $1,000 last year for a retreat at the city's former civic center. The city council there has met locally for the past 10 years.

According to the Charlotte City Council's agenda, it will discuss several topics including the budget outlook, economic and housing development, and the environment.

Channel 9 was told council members will review data to help them set priorities for the city.

Council and staff will return to Charlotte tomorrow afternoon, and retreat costs will be released shortly after. The next retreat will take place in 2016, and that location has not been set.

WSOC