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REPORT OF THE <br /> COMMITTEE ON FINANCE <br /> DATE: March 15, 2011 Re: Comm. No. 123/Bill 31 <br /> PLACE: Council Chambers <br /> West Hawai`i Civic Center <br /> TIME: 2:05 p.m. <br /> Council Chair and Members <br /> Hawaii County Council <br /> Hilo, Hawaii 96720 <br /> Your Committee on Finance, to which was referred Bill 31, reports as follows: <br /> Bill 31, transmitted by Finance Director Nancy Crawford via Communication 123 dated March 1, 2011 <br /> repeals Chapter 2, article 16, section 2 -96 from the Hawaii County Code 1983 (2005 Edition, as <br /> amended), relating to Meal Allowance for Nonovernight travel. <br /> This bill would delete Section 2 -96 of the County Code and eliminate the out -of- district meal allowance <br /> and take effect on July 1, 2011. Currently, employees who travel beyond the district adjacent to their <br /> usual place of work and have working hours that extend across normal meal times are provided an <br /> allowance for the purchase of a meal. The distinction between working within one district or another, and <br /> its impact on the ability to acquire a meal, is less significant that it was at the time this provision was first <br /> enacted. Modern insulated food containers and the existence of a variety of restaurant choices provide <br /> employees with meal options similar to those within their home district. Elimination of this employee <br /> benefit will provide cost savings of approximately $40,000 to the proposed Operating Budget for <br /> FY 2011 -12. This should not create a great burden on the impacted employees. <br /> Director of Finance Nancy Crawford, Deputy Director of Finance Deanna Sako, Controller Kay Oshiro <br /> appeared before Your Committee. Ms. Sako explained that this employee benefit is covered under the <br /> Hawai`i County Code which is subject to change by the Council and it is not part of collective bargaining. <br /> It was brought to Ms. Crawford's attention by the Legislative Research Branch that this section also refers <br /> to the volunteer Police personnel meal reimbursement. It was unintentional to eliminate this section and <br /> the Finance Department will submit a separate bill to ensure that the volunteer Police personnel will <br /> continue to receive their meal reimbursement after July 1, 2011. <br /> Your Committee on Finance is in accord with the purpose and intent of Bill 31, and recommends it pass <br /> first reading. <br /> dkr <br /> AYES NOES A &E Ex Respectfully submitted, <br /> BLAS X <br /> FORD x COMMITTEE ON FINANCE <br /> HOFFMANN X <br /> IKEDA X <br /> ONISHI X <br /> PILAGO X 7_- <br /> SMART x BRENDA FORD, CHAIR <br /> YAGONG X FC REPORT NO. 35 <br /> YOSHIMOTO X ADOPTED: MAY 0 4 2011 <br />