County Commissioners from across the state have attended out of state conferences on taxpayers' dollars before, but some residents say this time is different because the conference is in Hawaii. In Martin County for example, two commissioners will be attending the National Association of Counties Conference in Hawaii next month. But Martin County manager Russell Overman says the trip will only cost the county about $2,000 per commissioner. Overman believes this conference is beneficial to the county because education will enhance the commissioners’ ability to effectively lead. The value of the information the commissioners can bring back to Martin County can far outweigh the cost of what it will cost Martin County to send them. Other Eastern Carolina counties are also sending commissioners. Pitt County is sending four, Craven County plans to send six. Beaufort and Greene Counties will not be going.
