Newly released records show the economic development trip’s total cost included more than $12,000 for flights and more than $39,000 for hotels.
CHARLOTTE, N.C. β The city of Charlotte’s November 2024Β trip to Germany ended up costing taxpayers nearly $65,000, according to newly released public records provided to WCNC Charlotte on Wednesday.
As WCNC Charlotte previously reported, most members of Charlotte City Council, plus several staff made the trip to Munich, in part, to watch the Carolina Panthers play there. Taxpayers did not cover their game tickets, but did cover just about everything else, including $7,500 in per diems, more than $12,000 worth of flights and more than $39,000 for hotels, according to city records. The total cost of the trip was $64,488.86, according to public records.
Public records suggest the trip ended up costing less than expected. A cost breakdown document notes staff renegotiated plane ticket costs after prices dropped and negotiated flight credits for two council members. In addition, Councilmember ReneΓ© Perkins Johnson was unable to make the trip as originally planned, according to a city spokesperson. Public records also note Councilmember Tariq Bokhari “declined out-of-pocket reimbursements.”
In all, 13 representatives of the city traveled to Germany. Leaders previously said the trip’s focus was not football, but rather urban solutions and economic development.Β
The city noted the city’s Business Recruitment, Trade, or Protocol budgets covered all program costs, which included $1,000 for food at a networking reception attended by 77 guests “representing companies and partners.” The final cost breakdown also included $850 for Panthers’ game tickets for four “competitively active project leads” at prospective companies.
On Wednesday, Mecklenburg County announced a German manufacturing company is moving forward with a $15.1 million expansion that will create 60 new jobs over the next five years.
Contact Nate Morabito at nmorabito@wcnc.com and follow him on Facebook, X and Instagram.
