Durham officials say the government has held the event for about 20 years.
Brown estimated the luncheon for 400 people at a downtown hotel costs the city more than $45,000, including $8,000 for food and lost productivity. He says even in good economic times, the cost would be excessive for a taxpayer-paid event.
City Manager Tom Bonfield says officials will look into the matter, but he doubts it could be changed just a week before the event.
