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In addition, if the county were able to fund invasive species activities from the <br /> <br /> general fund, such appropriations cannot go to the the Big Island Invasive Species <br /> <br /> Committee (BIISC) or other private interests without following statuatory requirements <br /> <br /> for fair contract bidding. The BIISC is not a governrent agency, but a "partnership" of <br /> <br /> individuals within the government and private industry. To directly fund this private <br /> <br /> interest without obtaining bids is illegal. <br /> Also, a contract for eradication services with the BIISC is illegal pursuant to HRS <br /> 84-15(b), which states ""A state agency shall not enter into a contract with any person or <br /> business which is represented or assisted personally in the matter by a person who has <br /> been an employee of the agency within the preceding two years and who participated <br /> <br /> while in state office or employment in the matter with which the contract is directly <br /> concerned. " Since the county has been involved in BIISC and the Coqui Frog Working <br /> Group it cannot enter into a contract with these private interests. <br /> We would also like to point out that Section 10-11 of the County Charter states <br /> <br /> that, "Every obligation incurred and every authorization of payment in violation of the <br /> <br /> provisions of this charter shall be void. Every payment made in violation of the <br /> provisions of this charter shall be illegal; and county officers who knowingly authorize <br /> or make such payment or any part thereof shall be jointly and severally liable to the <br /> county for the full amount so paid or received. If any county officer or employee <br /> knowingly authorizes or makes any payment or incurs any obligation in violation of the <br /> provisions of this charter or takes part therein, that action shall be cause for his or her <br /> removal." <br /> We, therefore, respectfully request that the County's budget item of funding for <br /> coqui frog eradication be removed from the budget. <br /> We would also like to point out that funds for coqui control on the Big Island have <br /> already been allocated by State and Federal agencies which have legal jurisdiction over <br /> invasive species eradication and control for Hawaii county. <br /> Thank you for your consideration of this issue. <br /> Sydney Ross Singer <br /> Director, CHIRP <br /> Director, Institute for the Study of Culturogenic Disease <br /> P.O. Box 1880 <br /> Pahoa, Hawaii 96778 <br /> (808)935-5563 <br /> cc: Hawaii Attorney General <br /> <br />