Comm No 0052 - Transmit Charter Report (2)

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COMMISSION ACTIVITIES, FINDINGS, & RECOMMENDATIONS Activities Since July 13, 2018 the Commission has held 12 regular meetings, two recessed meetings, one special meeting, and six public hearings, all held as required under Hawai`i Revised Statutes, Chapter 92. The Commission has also formed two ad hoc committees, which met as needed prior to presenting their reports. Throughout the Commission's proceedings up to the June 7, 2019 meeting, the Commission had received 507 submissions of written testimony and heard from 210 oral testifiers. The amount of testimony received, written and oral, does not account for repeat testifiers or testimony on multiple agenda items. The Commission is grateful for the interest in and suggestions for its work regarding the Charter. The Commission began its work by reviewing all sections of the Charter, as well as requesting and receiving presentations by County officials in the executive and legislative branches regarding the impact of the Charter on their structure, powers, and functions. The Commission then considered 31 proposed amendments to the Charter. Of those original 31 proposals, the Commission voted on second and final reading to move 21 of them to the voters for approval. Those 21 proposals, included as the Commission's recommendations, may be consolidated based on their content if they are related. Findings Generally, the Commission has found that the Charter continues to serve its role well as the organizational infrastructure for County government. The amendments recommended to the electorate are meant to structure the County to handle near to mid-term conditions, as well as strengthen the consistency of Charter provisions. The Commission recognizes that the Charter is meant to be a broad document to govern the operation of County government; the Commission has also expressed concern that the continued formation of boards and commissions and the very detailed elements of financial procedures are having a deleterious effect of reducing governmental flexibility. Prior to each proposed Charter amendment in the Commission's recommendations is a brief description of the proposal. This brief description provides the findings of the Commission relating to each proposal. 3