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REPORT OF THE <br /> COMMITTEE ON FINANCE <br /> DATE: September 19, 2017 Re: Comm. No. 438/Res. No. 287-17 <br /> PLACE: Council Chambers <br /> Kailua-Kona, Hawai`i <br /> TIME: 2:25 p.m. <br /> Council Chair and Members <br /> Hawai`i County Council <br /> Hilo, Hawai`i 96720 <br /> Your Committee on Finance, to which was referred Resolution No. 287-17, reports as follows: <br /> Resolution No. 287-17, transmitted by Council Member Karen Eoff and Council Member Dru Mamo <br /> Kanuha, via Communication No. 438 dated August 31, 2017, requests the Office of the Legislative <br /> Auditor to conduct a performance audit of the Department of Water Supply to ensure the department has <br /> adequate contingency plans to guarantee sufficient water supply to customers at all times, including <br /> during a disruption of deep well operations. <br /> Five of the Hawaii County Department of Water Supply's deep wells, Waiaha, Palani, Keopu, Hualalai, <br /> and Honokohau are out of service, restricting water access to residents,businesses, and private and <br /> public services in North and Central Kona. <br /> Ms. Eoff stated that given the current water restriction situation for the past seven to eight <br /> months, she feels it is important to find out what could be done in the future and whether there <br /> are any kind of backup plans. She and Mr. Kanuha spoke with the Legislative Auditor's office <br /> to look at the current Department of Water Supply's policies or practices, and request the <br /> Legislator Auditor's office to provide some recommendations. <br /> Bonnie Nims, Legislative Auditor, responded it would be difficult due to the fact that she does <br /> not know exactly what type of criteria is available to them. They would need to do preliminary <br /> survey work before they could give a reasonable estimate on time, however her best guess would <br /> be possibly five months at the very least. <br /> Mr. Kanuha stated the reason this resolution was done in this manner was so that it could be <br /> done in-house and a Request for Proposal (RFP) would not have to be done. The Water Supply <br /> Board was doing the short-term proactive approach to deal with a lot of the issues Kona is facing <br /> right now. This is more of a long-term look. He feels this is a good resolution for a proactive <br /> approach that the Council could do. <br /> Mr. Kanuha noted the resolution will be forwarded to the Legislative Auditor, and they will <br /> decide if it is necessary and what the timeline would be. It is his opinion and feels that it is <br /> important and incumbent upon the County to move forward with this. <br /> FC Report No. 41 <br />