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Environmental Management Budget Review March 30, 2005 Page 5 of H maintain transfer station services. Call-back staff often is required to travel island- wide to support essential services. This action increases operations costs (i.e. travel costs are reimbursable) and further stresses our employees who are required to exceed a norma140-hour workweek. Additionally, increased road traffic has impacted the Baseyard's ability to maintain services at the transfer stations. The combination of increased waste and traffic congestion requires that additional personnel be provided to ensure that essential services are maintained. The new positions will provide for the performance of regulatory and operational activities necessary to comply with Federal and State regulations established for the management of solid waste. CIVIL ENGINEER III: This position is required by the Division in order to provide technical support for all Division operations and in order to support compliance efforts relative to solid waste management permits and associated Division vendor contracts. The Department's existing staff cannot take on these responsibilities due to their current large workloads and because they do not have the technical skills and training required to perform the necessary duties. The new Civil Engineer III position will increase Division operational efficiency through the incorporation of engineering methods and technology into the management of solid waste. Additionally, adequate contract monitoring will increase contract efficiency and reduce contractor claims. In the absence of Division technical support staff, the Division will be unable to, among other things: 1) ensure compliance with State of Hawai i Department of Health solid waste management permits, 2) efficiently utilize existing landfill airspace, 3) support operations needs, and 4) adequately monitor vendor contracts. ALL SOLID WASTE POSITIONS: Census surveys continue to demonstrate that the island's population and business enterprises have increased significantly over the past few years and such expansion is not anticipated to slow down in the near future. As the Solid Waste Division is tasked with the responsibility of providing essential services, reducing worker and public health/safety threats, and obtaining/maintaining compliance with applicable regulatory and environmental protection laws related to solid waste management, these additional positions are necessary. 9. Landfills OCE, Repairs to Facilities (5601.02.110) reflect a proposed budget of $285K, however past spending reflect a much lower amount. Is the Department neglecting the facilities or over budgeting this category? The Division's transfer stations and baseyards require significant maintenance and repair. In previous years, maintenance and repair work has been minimal. This year, due to large increases in solid waste needing disposal, as well as lack of adequate staff, we were not able to accomplish all the needed maintenance and repair. The Division is also currently utilizing $250,000 in grant funds to perform maintenance and repair work at five (5) transfer stations. This grant funding is separate from the Landfills OCE, Repairs to Facilities (5601.02.110) account. Facility repair work remains an ongoing challenge. Lack of sufficient resources to perform necessary repairs could easily result in the closure of transfer stations island-wide due to infrastructure degradation. Ffawai'i County is an eyual opportunity provider and employer.