Comm No 0035.53 - Testimony - CA-18 - PONC Maintenance fund

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than 260 funded but unfilled jobs in his budget (costing $14 million), which were then cut, but Mayor Kenoi failed to reinstate payments to the 2% Land Fund after cutting these budget entries. 6. In 2010, the Charter Commission put the Land Fund on the ballot again, but only as the 1% Land Fund. Again the Land Fund passed by 63% of voters, who voted on the measure. The Save Our Lands Committee supported this because it was a charter amendment and could only be overturned by a vote of the people. We wouldn't have to sit in budget hearings each year. 7. In 2012, to honor all the people who signed the petitions and worked so hard over the years, we realized we needed to put the 2% Land Fund back on the ballot as a Charter Amendment, together with a 1/4% Maintenance Fund. We wanted to make sure the Council and Mayor couldn't stop deposits. A charter amendment can only be undone by a vote of the people. Again, 63% of voters approved both measures. As part of the 2% Land Fund legislation, every property obtained with our taxpayer funds shall have a covenant that runs with the land that states: "This property (or easement) was acquired with money from the Public Access, Open Space and Natural Resources Preservation Fund. It shall be held in perpetuity for the use and enjoyment of the people of Hawai'i County and may not be sold, mortgaged, traded or transferred in any way. "This has already blocked a potential land trade with the State of Hawaii. 8. The Maintenance Fund was clarified in the Hawaii County Code in 2016 to allow the PONC Commission to review Stewardship Grants and to recommend which grants to approve to the Director of Finance. Respectfully submitted- Debbie Hecht, Campaign Coordinator, Save Our Lands Citizens' Committee. Full Land Fund Report: https://debbiehecht.com/2017/06/03/2-land-fund-report-3-2017/ Contact hecht.deb@u,gmail.com Debbie Hecht Website: Ramblings, Thoughts and Theories: www.debbiehecht.com 4