COM 0124.069 2004-2006 - Laserfiche WebLink

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May 31, 2005 Testimony on the operating budget proposal for the County of Hawaii for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2006. Thank you for this opportunity to comment. According to our legal counsel, the proposed funding of coqui frog eradication is a MISAPPROPRIATION of county funds and is ILLEGAL. The County Charter gives no jurisdiction, authority, or mandate for the County to fund eradication of invasive species. Invasive species eradication is the responsibility of Federal and State agencies, and is overseen by the Hawaii Invasive Species Council. The budget proposes giving funds to the Hawaii County Department of Reseazch and Development for coqui frog eradication. However, this department has no jurisdiction or mandate to conduct invasive species eradication programs. According to the County, "The Department of Reseazch and Development is responsible for promoting economic development in Hawaii County and collecting and developing data for decision-making, program development and policy-making. The department's focus encompasses numerous programs, which include tourism, agriculture, new industry and industry development including film, energy and reseazch and statistics." Further, according to the County Charter, Section 6-6.3, under "Powers, Duties and Functions", it states, "The director of reseazch and development shall: (a) Collect and develop data necessary for managerial and legislative decision-making, and program and policy-making. (b) Provide staff leadership for public and private development programs, enterprises and plans, including economic, social and cultural proposals, which enhance improvement of the county community. (c) Coordinate informational and regulatory knowledge of all federal and state grant-in-aid participation programs which affect the county." Nowhere does the Charter authorize, empower, or instruct this department, or any department of the county, to conduct invasive species eradication campaigns. That function belongs to State and Federal agencies, which the county has already contacted for coqui frog control. County taxpayers have a right to expect that their taxes paid to the County will go to County mandated fractions, as described in the County Charter. While certain members of the county government may have a personal desire for coqui eradication from the Island, the funding and performance of invasive species eradication is outside the scope of county functions, and any payment of county funds towazds this end is illegal. Comm. No. (Z~•~D-1 Ref. 7o:Preseresd 6Ltyt Rif. Cate ~