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<br /> r <br /> REPORT OF THE <br /> COMMITTEE ON PLANNING <br /> DATE: June 2, 1998 Re: C-863Bi11 No. 254 <br /> PLACE: Councilroom <br /> TIME: 1:37 p.m. <br /> Chair and Members <br /> Hawaii County Council <br /> Hilo, Hawaii 96720 <br /> Your Committee on Planning, to which was referred Bill No. 254, transmitted by Council <br /> Member Joe Reynolds per Communication No. 863, dated May 20, 1998, relating to the Powers <br /> of the County, reports as follows: <br /> Bill No. 254 amends the Hawaii County Charter (1991) relating to the powers of the County by <br /> adding a new section to read as follows: <br /> Section 2-3. Political Subdivisions. Whenever permitted by State law, the council by <br /> Ordinance may create political entities within the County, assign them such powers and <br /> duties as aze appropriate and demarcate the geographical boundaries of such entities. <br /> Mr. Reynolds explained that because Hawaii County is so large, the West Hawaii residents aze <br /> not fully represented in government. Because of this reason, he would like this charter <br /> amendment placed on the ballot to let the people determine if there should be other political <br /> entities on this island. He compared our County to the mainland towns, where people aze well <br /> represented because of the smaller political subdivisions. <br /> A committee member stated that we should not be heightening the public's expectations at this <br /> point, because it is the State Legislature that creates the political subdivisions and not the <br /> counties. It was also mentioned that a bill of this nature was proposed in the State Legislature, <br /> but for unknown reasons, the Legislators did not pursue this matter. <br /> Another committee member mentioned that if there are more political subdivisions, there will be <br /> more representatives, and it will take longer to render decisions on issues. Therefore, he feels that <br /> we should have less government instead of more. <br /> A motion asking Your Committee on Planning to approve Bill 254 failed by the vote reflected <br /> below. Your Committee recommends that Bi11254 be filed. <br /> AYES NOES A&E EX <br /> LEITHEAD-TODD RespeCtflllly SLLbmltted, <br /> TYLER x COMMITT ON P ING <br /> CHUNG <br /> REYNOLDS J( <br /> sANTANGELO x B JEAN LEITHEAD-TODD, CHAIR <br /> SMITH <br /> vACONC x PC REPORT NO. 120 <br /> ARAxAK~E.o.M. x ADOPTED: lUly ~a _ <br /> <br />