2018-2020 Report of the Charter Commission to the County Council

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CA -9, Draft 3: Relating to the Public Access, Open Space, and Natural Resources Preservation Fund This proposal would allow monies in the public access, open space, and natural resources preservation fund to pay salary, wages, and benefits for staff dedicated to supporting the purposes of the fund and the public access, open space, and natural resources preservation maintenance fund. The Commission finds that allowing the fund to be used only for purchase or acquisition of lands and easements in the County of Hawai`i and to pay the principal, interest, and premium due with respect to bonds issued for the purpose of the fund, as previous Charters do, does not adequately support an adaptable and responsive administration of the fund. CHARTER AMENDMENT NO. BE IT ENACTED BY THE PEOPLE OF THE COUNTY OF HAWAII: Section 1. Article X, Section 10-15, of the Hawai`i County Charter (2018 Edition), is amended to read as follows: "Section 10-15. Public Access, Open Space, and Natural Resources Preservation Fund. (a) In adopting each fiscal year's operating budget, the council shall appropriate a minimum of two percent of the certified real property tax revenues, including penalty and interest, to a fund known as the public access, open space, and natural resources preservation fund. Deposits to the fund shall occur at a minimum, on a quarterly basis. (b) Funding shall consist of a minimum of two percent of actual revenue received in the fiscal year. Additional revenue may consist of grants and private contributions intended for the purpose of this section, voluntary contributions of any amount as specified on the real property tax bill, proceeds from the sale of general obligation bonds authorized and issued for the purpose of this section, council appropriations for the purpose of this section, and any other source of revenue. (c) Monies in this fund shall be used solely to: (1) Purchase or otherwise acquire lands and easements in the County of Hawai`i for public outdoor recreation and education, including: (A) Access to beaches and mountains; (B) Preservation of historic or culturally important land areas and sites; (C) Protection of natural resources, significant habitat or eco -systems, including buffer zones; (D) Preservation of forests, beaches, coastal areas, natural beauty and agricultural lands; and (E) Protection of watershed lands to preserve water quality and water supply. 20