COM 0193.000 2006-2008 - Laserfiche WebLink

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The Honorable Chairman Pete Hoffmann and Members of the County Council Page 2 March 1. 2007 be placed in the Public Access, Open Space, and Natural Resources Preservation Fund. The amount budgeted represents the projected 2% requirement (includes penalties and interest). • Provision for Collective Bargaining, $6,250,000. The collective bargaining contracts of our public employee unions (HGEA, UPW, SHOPO, Firefighters) end on June 30, 2007. Funds are being budgeted to address possible pay and other increases. • Reserves. Once again, funds to prepare for unexpected future emergencies or budget shortfalls are being requested in the following reserve accounts: • Budget Stabilization Fund, $4,000,000 ■ Disaster/Emergency Fund, $2,000,000 • Self -Insurance Fund, $1,000,000 • GASB 45 — Other Post Employee Benefits, $8,000,000. $8,000,000 is being budgeted for accrued retiree health care benefits. The County currently funds retiree health benefits on a "pay-as-you-go" basis, which has resulted in a large unfunded liability for future benefits. Recent regulations (GASB 45) require that the full liability for post employment health care benefits be reflected in financial statements. An actuarial study, to be completed this fiscal year, is currently under way to determine the liability. Upon completion, the Employer -Union Health Benefits Trust Fund that manages the funds will begin assessing charges to the County. $4,000,000 was budgeted for the current year (FY 2006-07). • West Hawaii Golf, $1,000,000. Due to the success of the West Hawaii Golf Program, funding is being proposed to continue the program at a higher amount. • Increase in Flood Control Program, $437,071. Due to a new federal mandate that took effect in October 2006, the inspection requirements for the County to maintain flood canals have increased. The additional funding needed for required inspections are included in this budget. New Projects. The following new projects are also being established to improve operational efficiency and services to the public: • Transfer of Beach Lifeguards. This budget includes funding for the transfer of Beach Lifeguards from the Parks and Recreation Department to the Fire Department. The work that beach lifeguards perform is similar to the search and rescue functions of the Fire Department. When the transfer is made, operations and training should be better coordinated and ultimately, more efficient. • Consolidation of Motor Vehicle Registration, Driver Licensing, and PMVI. Also proposed is the consolidation of the motor vehicle registration section of the Finance Department with the driver licensing, commercial driver licensing (CDL), and periodic motor vehicle inspection (PMVI) sections of the Police Department to the