COM 0184.032 1996-1998 - Laserfiche WebLink

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In situations where the morality enforced by individual conscience has not worked, the law which embodies the community's standards of right and wrong will be enforced by the police, prosecutors and courts. I believe that the Office of the Prosecuting Attorney plays an important role in encouraging various community efforts to build individual and community beliefs about right and wrong. This includes fair and vigorous prosecution, support of the Hawaii County Police Department's Community Policing program, the Attorney General's Safety Action projects, various crime prevention initiatives, and other educational and treatment projects. A major effort has been made in the area of domestic violence. The Mayor's and Council's support of this program has certainly been a benefit to this community. The slogan "There's no excuse for domestic violence," embodies a major shift in attitude towards domestic violence. Although the Attorney General's study of domestic violence-related homicides came after the start of the Prosecutor's Domestic Violence Project, it underscores the need for more work in this area. A significant element of my fiscal 1998 budget is funding for this program. It is now well-documented that the violence occurring in our homes also has a negative effect on our children. This violence is being committed by our relatives, neighbors, friends, and fellow workers, and we all need to do our part to stop it. Violence is a learned behavior. The office has adopted a no-drop policy which addresses the seriousness of domestic violence. The budget submitted reflects our effort to deal with a heavy calendar and trial caseload. It addresses special areas of concern involving domestic violence, victim services, child abuse and sexual assaults, career criminals and community mobilization. This has been done within fiscal constraints currently facing the County. Our budget totals $4,232,781.00 of which $2,698,905.00 is County, $1,128,849.00 is State and $405,027.00 is Federal monies. In order to meet our budget limits set by the administration, no equipment has been budgeted for the last two years. The amount budgeted for our operating expenses is $105,178.00, a decrease from the 1995-1996 fiscal year. An area that requires attention is that of attorney salaries referenced in the Hawaii County Code, Article 26, relating to salaries of deputy prosecutors. This was last amended in 1990 (Resolution 176-90 dated 4/1/90). In 1991, the Hawaii County Charter was amended to have the salary of the Prosecuting Attorney set by the Salary Commission, and in 1993, the Commission amended the salaries of the Council, Mayor and Prosecutor. In 1995, the Council adopted Ordinance 95-17 which set the deputies' salaries at 50-90% of the appointing authority's. However, no funds were provided to implement any adjustment. In the 1996 and 1997 fiscal years, the salaries were not addressed because of