Comm No 0035.59 - Testimony - CA-18 - PONC Maintenance fund

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August 8, 2019 TO: Hawaii County Charter Commission FROM: Deborah Ward, Chair, Sierra Club Hawaii Island Group Aloha, Commission members, Sierra Club would like to commend you on the work you have undertaken , and thank you for continuing to listen to the testimony of the public as we offer what we consider solutions to the challenges our county faces. We appreciate the attention given by the county council to the specifics of the charter amendments you forwarded to them, and for their proposed wording for amendment to CA -18. As you know, our members are involved with a number of the non -profits that care for the PONC County -purchased lands, and they struggle daily with some of the difficulties and constraints of the current system. Some contemplate the possibility of taking on some or more responsibility for the land, but are aware that without compensation, the board members can only commit so much time and continued energy. We ask that you please consider accepting the amendment offered by the council to strengthen the charter by adding the possibility that non-profit board members could include reimbursement for time as well as expense in a well managed business plan setting with oversight by the Finance Department. We also ask that you name a specific position in CA -9, to be paid for with PONC funds, within the Finance Department, to reduce the costs that the county bears for the management and oversight. This would benefit the county by reducing the burden of a salary current paid for within the County budget. (We do object to the vague wording that currently would pay for "staff" not specifically assigned to PONC work. Thank you, Deborah Ward Comm. No. 35.59