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AWESC-10 Page 2 April 30, 2013 <br /> Council Member Ford stated that reducing the costs of the County's expenses, such as electricity, <br /> saves taxpayers from possible real property tax rate increases. She added that all residents pay <br /> for property tax, including the poor and the elderly, either by owning or renting a residence. She <br /> supports the Resolution; and encouraged the Administration to establish a special revolving fund <br /> to capture and identify the savings. <br /> Public Member Steve Holmes, a former City and County of Honolulu Council Member and the <br /> Energy and Sustainability Coordinator, stated that decoupling and the Hawai`i Clean Energy <br /> Initiative protects the consumer from costs being pushed on to them. He also stated that the State <br /> Department of Education has a goal to install photovoltaic systems in all schools within the next <br /> five years. He added that with solar power purchase agreements, there is an immediate savings as <br /> well as long term savings and that it is the fiduciary responsibility of the Council to save <br /> taxpayer money. <br /> Council Member Kern stated that he grew up off the grid and that he believes a balanced <br /> approach needs to be taken and he supports this Resolution as it allows the Administration to <br /> decide where it is appropriate to install the systems. Council Member Yoshimoto concurred <br /> adding that the Resolution is fine the way it is written. <br /> Council Member Ilagan supports the Resolution and stated that if Maui County is already doing <br /> this, Hawai`i County needs to as well. He further stated that since the public is trying to save on <br /> electric costs, the County should as well. <br /> Committee Chair Poindexter confirmed that a solar power purchase agreements is a commitment <br /> to purchase electricity for a fixed number of years even after the system is paid for. Mr. Holmes <br /> responded by adding that at the starting point the County would pay less for electricity than <br /> HELCO is charging. <br /> Your Committee on Agriculture, Water and Energy sustainability is in accord with the purpose <br /> and intent of Resolution No. 99-13 and recommends its adoption. <br /> djh <br /> AYES NOES A&E EX Respectfully submitted, <br /> EOFF X <br /> FORD x COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE, WATER <br /> ILAGAN x AND ENERGY SUSTAINABILITY <br /> KANUHA X 7:0 KERN X .6 <br /> ONISHI X <br /> POINDEXTER x MARGARET WILLE, CHAIR <br /> WILLE X AWESC REPORT NO.: 10 <br /> YOSHIMOTO x ADOPTED: MAY 1 5 2013 <br />