Members of North Carolina’s congressional delegation enjoyed fewer soft drinks and munchies in the first quarter of 2011 than during the same period last year.

Tar Heel lawmakers spent $5,591 in taxpayer funds on food, beverages, and bottled water during the first quarter of 2011, compared to $10,186 during the first quarter of 2010, according to official congressional disbursement records.

The 13 representatives in the delegation also scaled back the total they spent to run their congressional offices — from $4.1 million in the first quarter of 2010 to $3.7 million in first quarter of 2011.

For the first quarter of this year, Rep. Mike McIntyre, D-7th, spent the most to run his office ($329,809), followed by Reps. Sue Myrick, R-9th, ($328,759); Heath Shuler, D-11th, ($312,222); and Brad Miller, D-13th, ($311,204).

Freshman Rep. Renee Ellmers, R-2nd, was the thriftiest of the delegation with an office budget of $185,510. That figure is nearly $100,000 less than former seven-term Democratic Rep. Bob Etheridge’s totals for the first quarter of 2010. Ellmers beat Etheridge in the 2010 General Election.

Regular members receive between $1.4 million and $2 million annually in public funds to operate their offices. Leaders, such as the House speaker, get larger office allowances.

Four representatives opted to lease cars rather than record private-vehicle mileage reimbursements: Myrick, Shuler, Miller, and Mel Watt, a Democrat from the 12th Congressional District.

Costs for the delegation:

• G.K. Butterfield, D-1st

Total office expense: $257,207
Staff compensation and benefits: $217,807
Highest paid staffer: Chief of Staff Tonya Williams at $33,318 (1st quarter)
Travel: $11,292
Rent: $3,000 per month
Franked mail: $216
Food, beverages, and bottled water: $192

• Renee Ellmers, R-2nd

Total office expense: $189,510
Staff compensation and benefits: $163,800
Highest paid staffer: Chief of Staff Albert Lytton at $26,889 (1st quarter)
Travel: $1,200
Rent: Average of $1,264 per month
Franked mail: $76
Food, beverages, and bottled water: $108

• Walter B. Jones, R-3rd

Total office expense: $286,251
Staff compensation and benefits: $253,356
Highest paid staffer: Chief of Staff Glen A. Downs at $38,844 (1st quarter)
Travel: $3,872
Rent: $2,800 per month
Franked mail: $542
Food, beverages, and bottled water: $208

• David Price, D-4th

Total office expense: $285,429
Staff compensation and benefits: $242,561
Highest paid staffer: District Director William Mills at $30,556 (1st quarter)
Travel: $5,537
Rent: $5,389 per month
Franked mail: $241
Food, beverages, and bottled water: $349

• Virginia Foxx, R-5th

Total office expense: $214,193
Staff compensation and benefits: $168,276
Highest paid staffer: Chief of Staff William Poole at $30,800 (1st quarter)
Travel: $15,112
Rent: $3,587 per month
Franked mail: $482
Food, beverages, and bottled water: $443

• Howard Coble, R-6th

Total office expense: $283,675
Staff compensation and benefits: $231,739
Highest paid staffer: Chief of Staff Edward McDonald at $41,167 (1st quarter)
Travel: 12,018
Rent: $6,022 per month
Franked mail: $1,375
Food, beverages, and bottled water: $148

• Mike McIntyre, D-7th

Total office expense: $329,809
Staff compensation and benefits: $262,853
Highest paid staffer: Chief of Staff/Press Secretary Dean Mitchell at $41,167 (1st quarter)
Travel: $7,776
Rent: $973.00 per month
Franked mail: $400
Food, beverages, and bottled water: $1,733

• Larry Kissell, D-8th

Total office expense: $289,282
Staff compensation and benefits: $243,625
Highest paid staffer: Chief of Staff Susan Powell at $34,222 (1st quarter)
Travel: $8,968
Rent: $4,800 per month
Franked mail: $455
Food, beverages, and bottled water: $17

• Sue Myrick, R-9th

Total office expense: $328,759
Staff compensation and benefits: $257,400
Highest paid staffer: Chief of Staff Hal Weatherman at $31,549 (1st quarter)
Travel: $18,720
Rent: $8,229 per month
Franked mail: $579
Food, beverages, and bottled water: $329

• Patrick McHenry, R-10th

Total office expense: $256,694
Staff compensation and benefits: $217,736
Highest paid staffer: Chief of Staff Mark Fleming at $34,467 (1st quarter)
Travel: $5,497
Rent: $3,799 per month
Franked mail: $943
Food, beverages, and bottled water: $840

• Heath Shuler, D-11th

Total office expense: $312,221
Staff compensation and benefits: $266,276
Highest paid staffer: Chief of Staff Hayden Rogers at $39,111 (1st quarter)
Travel: $18,062
Rent: $1,210 per month
Franked mail: $486
Food, beverages, and bottled water: $273

• Mel Watt, D-12th

Total office expense: $290,874
Staff compensation and benefits: $246,353
Highest paid staffer: Chief of Staff Ellen Owen at $22,489 (1st quarter)
Travel: $10,061
Rent: $5,055 per month
Franked mail: $569
Food, beverages, and bottled water: $228

• Brad Miller, D-13th

Total office expense: $311,204
Staff compensation and benefits: $269,743
Highest paid staffer: Chief of Staff Ryan Hedgepeth at $35,411 (1st quarter)
Travel: $4,901
Rent: $4,756 per month
Franked mail: $1,049
Food, beverages, and bottled water: $678

David N. Bass is an associate editor of Carolina Journal. Editorial interns Kristin Szafranski and John Calvin Young contributed research to this report.