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Honorable Stacy K. Higa <br /> Page 3 <br /> May 5, 2005 <br /> Department of Agriculture, and the Big Island Invasive Species Council. These agencies <br /> have been working together without any resources to try and control coqui frog <br /> <br /> infestations on Hawaii Island. The areas of focus will be: <br /> • Education and community awareness <br /> • Biological and chemical research of control methods <br /> • Community based identification and eradication of infestations island wide. <br /> This is an administrative priority. <br /> Special Project Manager Program. $50,000 is included to initiate a Special Project <br /> Manager Program. This program will utilize the skills, knowledge, and abilities of retired <br /> citizens who will serve as special project managers for various County projects. This will <br /> <br /> help the County meet its obligations in all areas. <br /> <br /> New Positions. Two positions are included in this budget proposal. <br /> <br /> • GIS Analyst I. The Geographic Information System (GIS) has become a necessary <br /> function of County operations. Requests for printed maps and new specialized GIS <br /> layers are increasing daily from departments. There is currently no backup to the <br /> existing GIS Analyst position. The addition of a GIS Analyst I will enable the Data <br /> Systems Department to create new layers, acquire satellite & air imagery, carry out <br /> new applications, and provide timely assistance to County departments and <br /> emergency service agencies. <br /> <br /> • Sexual Assault Forensic Examiner (SAFE) Coordinator. Due to piecemeal grant <br /> funding for the County's Sex Assault Nurse Examiner program, the program is <br /> constantly at risk. A fulltime SAFE Coordinator position is being requested to <br /> perform recruitment, training, and coordination. The position will also add the <br /> stability the program requires to be successful. <br /> Since six positions requested in our original budget are being approved for hiring in the <br /> <br /> current fiscal year, our new position count is less than originally submitted. <br /> <br /> REVENUE CHANGES <br /> <br /> Real Property Taxes. Real property tax revenues have been reduced by $447,000 to <br /> reflect the certified net taxable real property values. We recommend that no changes be <br /> made to property tax rates. <br /> Public Service Company Tax. The estimated public service company tax has increased <br /> <br /> by $500,000 to reflect our current rate of collection. <br /> Intergovernmental Revenues. Adjustments have been made to the Federal Transit <br /> <br /> Administration grant ($583,000), the Rural Transit Administration program ($24,255), <br /> the Coordinated Services grants (-$80,000), and the Transient Accommodation Tax <br /> (TAT) (-$193,000), while funding for the Wildlife Habitat Incentive program ($47,400) <br /> and Coqui frog eradication ($100,000) have been added. <br /> <br />