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April 15, 2003 The Honorable Aaron Chung Page 3 • Consolidation of DARE and HI-PAL programs -These are very different programs, and consolidation would not necessarily result in a cost savings. For your information, the two programs do work together. • Use of general funds to retire the municipal golf course debt -This is very appropriate. No other special revenue funded activities are charged for their share of debt service. This includes sewer fund, solid waste fund, and highway fund projects. It is inconsistent and unfair that this single activity should be distinguished in this manner. • Disposition of SHOPO's requested increase in vehicle allowance -This issue is presently on the table for negotiation. The disposition will be determined through the collective bargaining process. • County's position regarding the $1.2 million estimate for collective bargaining pay increases - In the past, the County has not included amounts in its budget for projected pay increases before these had been agreed upon between the employer and unions. Departments were left to absorb these costs as best they could through vacant positions and any other means. This has been a true hardship in the past for most departments. The police and fire unions are in binding arbitration, and we know that their settlements alone may exceed the allowance we have set aside. However, departments will still be expected to cover what costs they can in their regular funding and this $1.2M will be available to cover what cannot be paid through savings in other areas. • Submittal of an estimated budget amount for an impact fees study - We have not included such an item in the budget as presented. Estimated cost would be around $200,000. If the Council has the will to follow through with an impact fee ordinance after an impact fee study is completed, then it would be money well spent. • Proposal for reallocation of unspent earmarked Mass Transit investigations fund balance - We oppose reallocation of these funds to any purpose other than taxicab investigations. When the annual license fee for taxicabs was increased from $10 to $120, taxi owners were promised that the increased fee would go to investigation of violations and enforcement of the many taxicab regulations. If the balance is increasing and there is no additional need for investigations, the fees should be reassessed. No change should be considered without the involvement of the taxi operators in Hawaii County. • Proposal to allow promotional advertising on county buses -This is being actively pursued. Corporation Counsel is reviewing rules to allow this. • Recalculation of fuel costs based upon rising prices - We expect our fuel and electricity costs to rise by about 10%, or $200,000 if consumption remains the same. This increase will be considered in our May proposal to you.