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The Honorable Chairman Gary Safarik <br />and Members of the County Council <br />Page 3 <br />March I. 2005 <br />This budget includes funding of some departmental supplemental requests that go beyond the <br />"status quo" in expenditures and services. This includes additional personnel and new or <br />replacement equipment in some departments. Positions were granted on the basis of <br />departments' prioritized requests, and were closely reviewed to ensure that they are in <br />harmony with the goals and objectives of the County. It is rarely popular to "grow <br />government," but given the ever - increasing population and demands for services, the positions <br />included in the budget are needed so our County agencies can meet their responsibilities and <br />provide the services required by the public. <br />GOALS AND PRIORITIES <br />In the allocation of limited government resources, funding for programs must relate to <br />identified goals and priorities. The administrative goals and priorities below were discussed <br />and categorized in the following manner: programs that are required legally; programs that <br />will help provide government services on an equitable basis; programs necessary for the <br />County to fulfill its obligation to be a good steward of public resources; and programs that <br />reflect administrative priorities. <br />Budget requests and allocations were prioritized based on the following goals and priorities: <br />Legal mandates. Of highest priority are items that address our legal mandates, such as <br />compliance with solid waste and wastewater operations, HIOSH, and ADA requirements; and <br />items that enable us to better enforce our laws. <br />Equitable distribution of services. Every person on this island should have reasonable <br />access to basic county services, such as fire and police protection; and emergency medical, <br />parks and recreation, environmental management, and aging services. High priority is placed <br />on budget items that enable us to achieve this goal. <br />Stewardship of public assets. We have a responsibility to protect the county's assets by <br />making sure that public facilities and equipment are properly maintained, keeping money on <br />reserve to pay for unexpected occurrences, and minimizing risk as we carry out the county's <br />business. Funding to carry out this responsibility is included in this budget. <br />Administrative project priorities (does not include CIP projects). Project priorities of the <br />administration include the following. Items that address some of these projects, either directly <br />or indirectly, are included in this budget. <br />• Coqui frog eradication <br />• Fighting the "War on Ice" <br />• Carrying out solid waste and wastewater solutions <br />• Achieving concurrency: infrastructure with population growth <br />• Community development planning <br />