Employee lunch will take place as planned

Barring City Council action, Durham's annual Employee Appreciation Luncheon will proceed as scheduled Feb. 10.

City Manager Tom Bonfield made the call in response to a memo last week from city councilman Eugene Brown suggesting the lunch be cancelled and honored employees get $100 each to save the taxpayers money.

Replying to Brown, Bonfield said the luncheon budget is $18,805 and that city operations continue as usual through the 2.5-hour event. Brown had estimated the cost at $45,000, counting direct expense and lost productivity.

Calling off the lunch, Bonfield wrote, would cost about $6,000 in a cancellation fee to the Marriott hotel, which has been booked for some time already. Facility rental and food costs are estimated at $7,695 for the 345 invited employees, and $7,170 for retirees' watches.

"Absent direction otherwise from the majority of the city council I believe it is appropriate to proceed with the employee recognition event," Bonfield concluded.

The City of Durham has about 2,300 employees, according to Chamber of Commerce figures.