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REPORT OF THE <br /> COMMITTEE ON FINANCE <br /> DATE: March 21, 2023 Re: Comm.No. 153/Bill No. 33 <br /> PLACE: Council Chambers <br /> Kailua-Kona, Hawai`i <br /> TIME: 1:45 p.m. <br /> Council Chair and Members <br /> Hawai`i County Council <br /> Hilo, Hawai`i 96720 <br /> Your Committee on Finance, to which was referred Bill No. 33,reports as follows: <br /> Bill No. 33,transmitted by Finance Director Deanna Sako,via Communication No. 153 dated <br /> March 3, 2023, amends Ordinance No. 22-63, as amended, the Operating Budget for the County of <br /> Hawaii for the Fiscal Year ending June 30, 2023. <br /> This bill appropriates revenues in the State Grants—Senior Activities account($100,000) and the <br /> State Grants—Senior Activities Program Income account($15,000); and appropriates the same to the <br /> Senior Activities account($100,000) and the Senior Activities Program Income account($15,000). <br /> i Office Committee Member Cindy Evans asked for clarification from o O e <br /> of Aging g <br /> Administrator <br /> Horace Farr on the working relationship between the Office of Aging and the Department of Parks and <br /> Recreation,to which Mr. Farr replied that the Office of Aging is the designated area agency for Hawai`i <br /> County attached to the Mayor's office. Parks and Recreation is its largest contractor and provider of <br /> senior services. Ms. Evans then asked if the Office of Aging is obligated to use the Parks and Recreation <br /> department or if they could choose to work with any department.Mr. Farr said that they are not <br /> obligated to use Parks and Recreation department and explained the reasons why the department chose <br /> to contract with them and not another department. <br /> Committee Chair Matt Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder asked Mr. Farr if these funds could be contracted out to <br /> private organizations rather than through Parks and Recreation. Mr. Farr replied that if a senior club or <br /> organization were part of their network,they would qualify; however,there are not any, and the only <br /> senior clubs or centers are within Parks and Recreation. Mr. Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder expressed concern <br /> about a lack of senior services and centers on the island. <br /> Committee Member Michelle Galimba mentioned that her grandmother went to the senior center in <br /> Na`alehu and expressed gratitude for these services. Ms. Galimba then asked if, during Covid,these <br /> services shut down. Mr. Farr explained that the congregate sites closed, so the department focused on <br /> home services; however, the department struggled with finding staff willing to go out into the <br /> community during that time. Currently,the department is trying to get all services back online, but are <br /> experiencing an employee shortage. Mr. Farr went on to explain the struggles that this office is <br /> experiencing to get the proper services out to the community. <br /> FC Report No. 31 <br />