TRAVERSE CITY -- Two top officials with Grand Traverse County's Road Commission are spending the week in Las Vegas for a construction exposition, even though the commission expects to lay off workers this summer.
Road Commission Manager Mary Gillis and Maintenance Supervisor Jim Valade are attending the CONEXPO-CON/AGG 2008 Exposition at the Las Vegas Convention Center March 11-15. The exposition is held every three years and showcases construction equipment, products, services and technologies.
Gillis couldn't be reached, but road commission Chairman Walter "Jay" Hooper said the trip was justified despite the commission's budget problems.
"We need to continue to look at what's available in the heavy equipment area," Hooper said.
Hooper said the three-member road commission approved the trip. He believes taxpayers will cover trip expenses, but said it's possible that a heavy equipment manufacturer helped defray some costs.
"There have been past experiences when a given vendor paid for a trip, but I don't think that is the case here," Hooper said. "If we are looking specifically at purchasing one piece of equipment, then I think it's appropriate for a (vendor) to pay. Better them than us."
Hooper said he couldn't recall the trip's anticipated price tag, and won't know the exact cost until Gillis and Valade return.
Hooper also wasn't concerned by the trip's timing; road commission officials this week told county board members of a Gillis-led plan to seek a 10-year property tax millage that would raise $4.2 million annually.
"Her going (to Las Vegas) has nothing to do with the tax proposals," Hooper said.
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