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Honorable Stacy K. Higa <br /> Page 2 <br /> May 5, 2005 <br /> • The transfer of $1 million to the Disaster and Emergency Fund to ensure that the <br /> County is prepared in case of a declared disaster; <br /> • Anew fire brush truck, ladder/aerial platform vehicle for West Hawaii, and a <br /> replacement fire pumper for South Kona, totaling $1.5 million. <br /> • The addition of positions that will enable the County to comply with legal mandates, <br /> improve services to growing and under-served communities, and address <br /> administrative priorities. These priorities include speeding up the review of building <br /> and other permits, carrying out solid waste and wastewater solutions, increasing hours <br /> of operation at some parks facilities, and supporting community development <br /> planning. <br /> EXPENDITURE CHANGES <br /> In addition to the above, funding has been added for the following: <br /> Improvements to County Facilities. A transfer of $1 million to the Capital Projects <br /> Fund is proposed. This will enable the Building Division to assess, design, and construct <br /> improvements to County facilities island-wide that are long overdue. This is necessary <br /> for good stewardship ofpublic assets. <br /> Provision for Public Land Acquisition. This budget also provides $500,000 to be <br /> used for the acquisition ofpublic lands to enhance public access to recreational areas, <br /> such as the coastal land at Honu`apo. This is also good stewardship ofpublic assets. <br /> Community Development Planning. $333,000 has been added to the Research and <br /> Development Department budget to fund anisland-wide community development <br /> planning program that will enable communities to develop and implement community <br /> development plans. The money will be used to hire facilitators, purchase supplies, pay <br /> travel expenses, and provide training, technical assistance, and outreach to communities. <br /> Community development plans are required by the County General Plan. This will <br /> complement the work of the Planning Department that has been funded by the $750,000 <br /> provided earlier this fiscal year. Community development planning is a Council and <br /> administrative priority. <br /> Employee Fringe Benefits. We have increased employee fringe benefit projections by <br /> $540,000 to update our earlier estimate. Fringe benefits like social security, health <br /> insurance and retirement contributions are legal mandates. <br /> Coqui Frog Eradication. $350,000 has been added to the Research and Development <br /> budget to fund a Coqui frog eradication program. This amount includes $100,000 of <br /> anticipated state funds. This money will be used to continue the work of the Coqui Frog <br /> Working Group made up of representatives from the County, University of Hawaii at <br /> <br /> Hilo, U.S. Department of Agriculture National Wildlife Research Center, State <br /> <br />