The AP dug a little more into the California Contract Cities Association, a group that you had likely never heard of until a brawl broke out at the Renaissance Indian Wells Resort & Spa a couple of weeks ago, and, well, it sounds like the event is a bit of a drunkfest for city officials who mostly attend thanks to taxpayer money.
While the agenda has scheduled panels on homelessness, active shooters, and government ethics, it also has plenty of leisure activities including a golf tournament, a welcome bag with a bottle of wine, a fireworks show, and free drink tickets for conference events. One attendee told the AP that the event is basically ‘spring break for city council members.
Cost to attend is $600 per person, as well as a “discounted” room rate of $214 per night. The conference has been held in Indian Wells for the last 19 years.
Since news of the fight, some officials are questioning whether the conference is the best use of taxpayer dollars, while others say that they are not there to schmooze, rather they attend to learn and improve their communities.
