Do taxpayers fund trips to Dallas, Atlanta, Orlando, Phoenix, Canadian Rockies, etc., for both staff and elected officials?

The Park District’s programming includes Travel Club, with many participants. The Travel Club takes many trips including those referenced above. This past year the group traveled to the Canadian Rockies and Maine for the Fall Colors, and Italy in April!  A staff member takes a group to these destinations. Staff travel expenses are paid for by the travel participants from program fees, not from taxes. The Canadian Rockies trip realized a net profit of $7,770.  Staff also take tennis teams to Indiana, Florida, and South Carolina. Program fees also pay the staff expenses on these trips. The last three National Conferences were in Phoenix, Dallas, and Atlanta where the Park District was a Gold Medal Finalist and staff presented sessions.  The flights to these conferences were paid for through points on Park District’s purchase cards.