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REPORT OF THE <br />COMMITTEE ON FINANCE <br />DATE: August 18, 2009 Re: Comm. No. 480/Res. 224-09 <br />PLACE: Sheraton Keauhou Bay Resort and Spa <br />78-128 Ehukai Street <br />Kailua-Kona, Hawai'i <br />TIME: 1:00 P.M. <br />Council Chair and Members <br />Hawaii County Council <br />Hilo, Hawaii 96720 <br />Your Committee on Finance, to which was referred Resolution 224-09, reports as follows: <br />Resolution No. 224-09, transmitted by Councilmember Pete Hoffmann, via Communication No. 480, <br />dated August 6, 2009, allows Councilmembers to voluntarily request to transfer not less than $5,000 from <br />County Clerk's Salary and Wages account to the Contingency Relief Account, to be appropriated in <br />accordance with the current Contingency Relief Fund procedures. This resolution provides for <br />Councilmembers who may wish to use a portion of their County salaries as a means of financially <br />supporting chosen 501(c)(3) non-profit organizations. <br />Councilmember Hoffmann stated this is voluntary. He explained to Councilmembers that taking ten <br />percent from their salary was a reasonable amount, of which will be applied to a specific non-profit <br />organization in their district. He indicated that this contribution was a one time event; this does not mean <br />that next year the same amount has to be given. <br />Councilmember Ford commended Mr. Hoffmann for his efforts and expressed her full support of this <br />resolution in its totality. She indicated that the salary increase she received in 2008 would go to charity. <br />She also stated that this resolution provides for the donations to be given before taxes, as the funds will <br />not be included in the paycheck. She informed Councilmembers that if they decide to do it privately, they <br />will be penalized with taxes and withholdings. She also mentioned that this resolution does not cut their <br />salary and will not involve the Salary Commission's decision. <br />Councilmember Yoshimoto expressed this may be more complicated as it can be done without a <br />resolution. Also, he suggested that $1,000 may be a better figure. He also asked Mr. Hoffmann if he <br />checked with an accountant to see if the transfer procedure is legal. Mr. Hoffmann indicated that he <br />checked with Director of Human Services Mike Ben, who said this is legal. Ms. Crawford responded, via <br />videoconference from Hilo, that a transfer of funds should be done through a resolution. <br />At the request of members of Your Committee, Mr. I-Ioffmann agreed to amend the measure to remove <br />the minimum requirement of $5,000. <br />FC Rept. No. 85 <br />