COM 0124.000 2004-2006 - Laserfiche WebLink

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The Honorable Chairman Gary Safarik and Members of the County Council Page 4 March I. 2005 • Addressing the housing crisis • Improving our building code • Expanding service to the elderly and their caregivers BUDGET HIGHLIGHTS The lack of resources in the past has caused the County to lag far behind where it should be in maintenance of facilities (stewardship ofpublic assets), provision of services islandwide (equitable distribution of services), meeting legal mandates, and programs listed under administrative priorities. This budget dedicates resources to addressing these goals and objectives. Risk Management: Because of our responsibility for good stewardship ofpublic assets, a new Risk Management Division is proposed within the Department of Finance. Last year, a multi -agency working group under the direction of the Corporation Counsel reviewed the County's risk management activities and found them inadequate. This working group recommended the creation of a Risk Management Division in the Department of Finance to provide overall guidance in areas such as insurance coverage and minimizing risk. To begin to implement this recommendation, a Risk Management Officer and Clerk II are proposed for this new division. Self-insurance Fund: A transfer of $1 million to the Self-insurance Fund is included in the budget. In accordance with the provisions in the Hawaii County Code, this transfer provides a balance in the fund that can be used to cover judgments against the County, and is in line with responsible stewardship ofpublic assets. Disaster and Emergency Fund: A transfer of $1 million to the Disaster and Emergency Fund is proposed. By law, a transfer of at least $100,000 must be made. To help ensure that the County is prepared in case of a declared disaster, the proposal is to transfer $1 million to build up this fund. This also is responsible stewardship ofpublic assets. Environmental Management: Because compliance with legal mandates related to wastewater and solid waste are a top priority, thirteen new positions are included in this budget for the new Department of Environmental Management. One is General Fund funded, and the remainder are in special funds, with emphasis again on solid waste. Finance: Besides Risk Management, other new positions in the Finance Department include two positions in the Treasury Division that will address equitable distribution ofservices. One is a Motor Vehicle Registration Clerk I to be based in Kona. The other is an Accountant I position that is necessary because of the increased number of improvement districts that are being created to finance public improvements, such as the Coastview/Wonderview water system, the various sewer improvement districts, and other possible improvement districts in Puna and Kona. A new position in Accounts Division will provide technical support for the new FRESH financial computer system to all County departments and help the departments achieve their missions.