Laserfiche WebLink
<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> Testimony Re: Resolution 267-09 <br /> November 12, 2009 <br /> Page 2 <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> These figures do not include flex-time used by Council district appointed staff for travel. Travel to <br /> Kona in our Clerk's Office van and other County vehicles are not incorporated into the expenses listed <br /> above. <br /> <br /> Given the figures above, the approximate cost savings of reverting to four Kona meetings per year <br /> would be $51,000. This represents approximately 5% of our non-salary-and-wages expenses for the <br /> current fiscal year. <br /> <br /> On average 3.6 persons traveled to Hilo and stayed two nights in a hotel for Hilo meetings. There <br /> were on average 13.5 persons who traveled to Kona for Kona meetings, however not all stayed <br /> overnight both nights. For example the Committee and Council Services employees typically only <br /> spend one night in Kona. Also, district staff from Waimea and Ka`u travelled to Kona and generated <br /> mileage and hotel costs which are part of the 13.5 average person figure and the expenses listed above. <br /> <br /> While the Office of the County Clerk takes no position on this resolution, I do note that substantial <br /> costs were incurred to provide video-conferencing equipment and connection to our various sites so that <br /> meetings could take place via video-conferencing and our State's Sunshine Law provides for multiple <br /> site video-conferenced meetings. I also offer the following comment: Hypothetically, if an agenda <br /> listed Kona as the main meeting site and properly noticed the meeting as having video-conference <br /> member participation from Hilo, the Chair and Hilo staff could conduct the meeting form Hilo and still <br /> meet the Kona meeting requirement. <br /> <br /> Thank you again for this opportunity to comment. <br /> <br /> <br /> Respectfully, <br /> <br /> <br /> Kenneth G. Goodenow <br />