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<br /> COUNTY OF HAWAII .;, ' 1 :• STATE OF HAWAII
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<br /> RESOLUTION NO. 539 24
<br /> A RESOLUTION REQUESTING THE COUNTY AUDITOR TO CONDUCT A
<br /> PERFORMANCE AUDIT OF THE DEPARTMENT OF RESEARCH AND
<br /> DEVELOPMENT TO PROMOTE TRANSPARENCY,ACCOUNTABILITY,AND
<br /> EFFECTIVE RESOURCE UTILIZATION.
<br /> WHEREAS, Section 6-8.3 of the Charter of the County of Hawai`i ("the Charter") sets
<br /> forth the powers, duties, and functions of the Director of Research and Development as follows:
<br /> "The director of research and development shall:
<br /> (a) Collect and develop data necessary for managerial and legislative decision-
<br /> making, and program and policy-making.
<br /> (b) In collaboration and coordination with federal and state agencies as well as the
<br /> private sector, advance public and private development programs, enterprises and
<br /> plans, that enhance and improve the county's environmental, cultural, community,
<br /> and economic sustainability and resilience"; and
<br /> WHEREAS, Chapter 2, article 8 of the Hawai`i County Code 1983 (2019 Edition, as
<br /> amended) ("the Code"), describes the purview of the Department of Research and Development
<br /> ("the Department")to include sustainable agriculture, alternative energy, ecological education,
<br /> business development, green housing and buildings, and protection of biodiversity, and
<br /> designates a Sustainability Action Committee within the Department to serve in an advisory
<br /> capacity; and
<br /> WHEREAS, the scope of the Department has expanded beyond these subjects to address
<br /> additional community needs related to broadband access, climate change action, filming,
<br /> Hawaiian culture, indigenous science, health and well-being, early childhood resources,
<br /> workforce development,tourism, and immigration; and
<br /> WHEREAS, the Department maintains responsibility over a wide variety of critical
<br /> programs,projects, and services, including discretionary grant funding, the County's Workforce
<br /> Innovation Opportunity Act("WIOA") programs, and support for the Hawai`i County 2022
<br /> Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy, which is essential for the County to qualify for
<br /> federal funding from the U.S. Economic Development Administration; and
<br /> WHEREAS, differing interpretations of the Department's role and function have led to
<br /> frequent operational changes, inconsistent priorities, and difficulties in the general oversight and
<br /> evaluation of the Department in fulfilling its duty to the people of the County; and
<br /> WHEREAS,performance audits are valuable tools to guide and enhance strategic
<br /> direction,transparency, and operational effectiveness, and can help ensure optimal utilization of
<br /> limited resources, especially where public funds and public trust are concerned; now, therefore,
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