ORD 2012-035 2010-2012 - Laserfiche WebLink

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William P. Kenoi Mayor March 20, 2012 County of Hawaii 25 Aupuni Street • Hilo, Hawai`i 96720. (808) 961 -8211 • Fax (808) 961 -6553 KONA: 74 -5044 Ane Keohokalole Hwy., Bldg. C • Kailua -Kona, Hawai`i 96740 (808) 324 -4444 • Fax (808) 323 -4440 Members of the Hawai`i County Council 25 Aupuni Street County of Hawai`i Hilo, HI 96720 Dear Council Members: William T. Takaba Managing Director Walter K.M. Lau Deputy Managing Director N The Hawaii County Council passed Bill 199 finding and declaring that a public health emergency exists for the County of Hawaii. It further makes an emergency appropriation of $200,000 from the County's Disaster and Emergency Fund to the non - profit Food Basket, Inc. for the purpose of feeding the hungry in the County of Hawaii. Through Bill 199, the County Council has identified hunger as having the highest disaster and emergency priority in the County of Hawaii and the Food Basket, Inc. as the most suitable organization to address this need. While I have strong reservations about the County's Disaster and Emergency Fund, which is meant to restore and revitalize our island in the wake of a catastrophic disaster, such as a hurricane, earthquake, or tsunami, I have signed Bill 199 in support of the Council's desire to make this one -time emergency grant of $200,000 to the Food Basket, Inc. To ensure that our limited County funds be spent wisely and appropriately, however, I expect the Council to hold its grantee accountable for the expenditure of these funds. It must assure the public that: • Money will be spent directly on nutritious food for the truly needy, and not for salaries and wages, administrative costs, or other non -food uses; • The disbursement of free food will be governed by strict procedures to ensure that the food is delivered to the neediest members of our community. • There will be a complete and thorough accounting of how the County funds are spent by the Food Basket, Inc., including verifiable reports naming donors and recipients. Eliminating hunger on Hawaii Island is a goal that we can all support. A truly just and compassionate community is one that cares for its most needy by refusing to allow suffering for lack of life's most basic needs. This is why our administration has consistently provided more than the required amount of funds in each of our budgets for County of Hawai`i is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer.