REP HSEDC 003 04/17/2007 2006-2008

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REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON HUMAN SERVICES AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DATE: April 17, 2007 RE: Comm. No. 157/157.4 PLACE: Ben Franklin Building 333 Kilauea Avenue Hilo, Hawaii 96720 TIME: 3:40 p.m. The Committee on Human Services and Economic Development, to which was referred Communication 157 reports as follows: Applications from Non-profit Organizations for County Grant Funding for Fiscal Yeaz 2007-2008, from Finance Director William Takaba, dated February 5, 2007, submitting the qualifying applications from non-profit organizations pursuant to Chapter 2, Article 25, Hawaii County Code, for the Council's review and appropriation of funds for inclusion in the Operating Budget for Fiscal Year 2007-2008. Thirty-six (36) organizations have submitted applications for 57 programs, totaling $1,778,800. Attached is a list of organizations, the programs titles, and amount requested including three (3) that were ruled ineligible. The Council Members voted unanimously to close file on Communication 157. The Adhoc Committee consisted of four members of the County Council; Stacy Higa, Donald Ikeda, Vice-Chair Angel Pilago and Emily Naeole, Chair of the Human Services and Economic Development Committee. The committee conducted four site visits/interviews, two days (2) at West Hawaii, March 15~h and 16~h, and two days (2) at East Hawaii, Mazch 22"d and 23rd. After the completion of the site visits and interviews, the Committee came forth with the recommendations to fund, fifty four (54) programs totaling $1,500,000. Communication 157.4, dated April 17, 2007, from HSEDC Chair Naeole, confirms that the adhoc committee's decision is to increase the County Grant Budget by $600,000 to cover the new applicants. Council Member Bob Jacobson, troubled that the committee did not stay within the $900,000 budget, stated the additional $600,000 needs concurrence of the entire Council. He believes the State Legislator and the Governor should fund these types of programs and has fallen behind on their obligations for the community. Council Member Brenda Ford concurred with Mr. Jacobson and further stated that an amendment to the current budget is needed in order to fund the additional $600,000, and will support Mr. Ikeda forthcoming amendment to increase the County Grant Budget.