NEWBURGH- The Newburgh City Council has approved spending $37,168 for room and board for a weekend retreat at Mohonk Mountain House in New Paltz and that came on the heels of the approval of $24,900 for a consulting firm to lead workshops for council members.
When the consulting contract for the workshops was approved by the city council on February 22, the city justified it as a learning tool for the council. There is one member who is in his first term and the remaining six members have been serving for a number of years.
When the contract with Mohonk Mountain House was approved weeks later, there was no discussion by council members.
The weekend retreat is planned for Friday, April 19 through Sunday, April 21.
The contract with the resort calls for 10 single-occupancy rooms at a cost of $903 per room per night. Mohonk is 28.5 miles from Newburgh City Hall and at the federal mileage reimbursement rate of 67-cents per mile, compensation for a round trip would cost less than $40.
Contract banquet food and beverage revenue, including day attendees totals $18,060.
