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<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> A HAWAII DIVISION <br /> 495 Manono Street <br /> - Hilo, Hawaii 96720-4422 Telephone: 808.935.6841 Hawaii Government Employees Association <br /> Working Together for Hawaii www.hgea.org Facsimile: 808.961.2437 AFSCME Local 152, AFL-CIO <br /> <br /> County Council <br /> County of Hawaii <br /> <br /> Testimony by <br /> HGEA/AFSCME Local 152 <br /> March 25, 2008 <br /> <br /> Bill 262 - An Ordinance to Initiate an Amendment to Article III. Legislative Branch. County Council, of <br /> the Hawaii County Charter (2000), to Reorganize the Office of the County Clerk and County Council by <br /> Establishing an Independent Audit Function within the Legislative Branch through the Office of the <br /> Legislative Auditor <br /> <br /> The Hawaii Government Employees Association, AFSCME, Local 152, AFL-CIO opposes Bill 262 in its <br /> present form. As drafted, Bill 262 would establish an independent audit function through the Office of <br /> the Legislative Auditor. Our objection to the bill is not the establishment of an independent audit function <br /> or the creation of a legislative auditor appointed by the County Council, but the appointment of staff <br /> persons who would be exempt from civil service laws and classifications. <br /> <br /> As a matter of policy, we are routinely opposing the creation of exempt positions. Exempting employees <br /> from civil service creates a second class of employees within our bargaining units. This is a problem <br /> because exempt employees who encounter unfair management practices may be dismissed or <br /> disciplined without cause and do not have access to due process or appeals. It also discourages <br /> experienced and well-qualified civil servants from applying for such positions because of the exemption <br /> from civil service. <br /> <br /> If the staff of the Legislative Auditor was included within civil service, we could support the bill. Thank <br /> you for the opportunity to provide testimony on Bill 262. <br /> <br /> <br /> Respectfully submitted, <br /> Jtirvu~ <br /> <br /> Sharon Morris <br /> Hawaii Division Chief <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> Gomm. Na /047-3 <br /> Ref. To: PfeseOi tut <br /> Ref. Date .{MAR-25-2AA6- <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br />