COM 0150.020 2012-2014 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Honorable J Yoshimoto And Members of the Hawai`i County Council Page 5 May 2, 2013 Aging computers have also become a drag on worker productivity. Hundreds of the county's computers rely on software that is so old that the manufacturer warns it will cease support of the obsolete operating system in April 2014, leaving those computers potentially vulnerable to cyber security threats. To keep our computer systems current and safe, we have budgeted $300,000 to lease 1,000 new computers to replace outdated, legacy equipment. We are proud that our dedicated IT staff of 17 employees has kept our systems running with a bare-bones budget of$1.6 million, but our staffing levels are now far below national standards. National research shows a local government our size would be expected to have 93 employees in information technology, with a budget of$13.1 million. Each of our existing IT personnel is responsible for supporting 152 employees, and we must provide them with additional support. We are proposing to add three new positions at a cost of $182,000, and are budgeting$28,000 for training to better equip our staff with the skills they need to keep pace with industry innovations. We believe this is the time to overhaul and expand our information technology capacity to position ourselves to deliver the services that our growing community requires. We cannot delay these investments any longer. Parks & Recreation The Department of Parks & Recreation has overseen more than 60 construction projects during this administration while doing an outstanding job maintaining our park facilities and providing recreational services to our youth and seniors within our budgetary limitations. This proposed budget enhances the department's capacity to maintain our growing portfolio of parks and facilities, and at the same time fulfill the ever-growing recreational demands of our community. Seven new staff will be added to support operations, ranging from a new pool lifeguard to additional staff to work with our seniors. Parks positions that will be added or are being refunded after being left vacant in recent years are in Aquatics, Coordinated Services for the Elderly, Culture &the Arts, Ho`olulu Complex, Administration, Parks Maintenance and Recreation. The parks maintenance fleet will be enhanced in this budget, with $455,000 allotted for two pickup trucks with dumpers, a bucket truck, mini excavator,backhoe, tractor, and refuse truck. These tools will allow our maintenance crews to more efficiently maintain our parks and facilities, which are being used by more and more of our island families. The popular Waipi`o Ranger Program, which was first initiated in 2007, would also be re- established with$70,000 in this budget. The presence of the rangers will educate valley visitors about the history and resources of the valley, and provide a presence to enhance public safety. This budget includes $47,650 in additional support for our Elderly Activities Division to offset increased expenses including utilities and mileage reimbursements for our senior volunteers. County of Hawai'i is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer.