2011-06-24 Cost of Government Draft Report

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In some US counties’ statements and studies it was stated that local governments need to acknowledge a new paradigm to operate efficiently and responsibly, establish priorities, and that core functions and priorities should be properly funded and well managed. Programs that are ineffective or no longer necessary and could be eliminated should be phased out. The new paradigm is for County governments to provide human services and various assistance programs in a facilitative role, rather than developing programs to solve problems. The evolution, it is said, is due to the devolution and economic changes of the times. Effectively Managing County Government, http://johncook4supervisor.com/_docs/Effective_Government.pdf (June 15, 2011). The COGC considered the essential functions and the statements from various sources, together with our objective points of view, to make recommendations for efficiency, improved services, and to promote the economy of Hawai‘i County. Part 2 – Specific Recommendations A. County Wide Recommendations to Save Costs and Increase Revenues 1. Employee benefits and compensation a. Compensation Package 1) Allow employees to work 10 hours/4 days per week. Potential savings would be realized in lower utility costs, reduction in overtime costs for staff required to attend evening public meetings, reduction in travel time/mileage, and increased employee morale. 2) Institute a performance-based employee rewards program. Rewards might be a bonus, time off, increase in compensation, etc. 3) Set the work week at 40-hours a week rather than eight hours a day, and allow an employee to flex their work schedules during the 40-hour work week. This would reduce overtime and allow employees who must travel some distance to their job site to make more productive use of their work hours. 4) Link pay cuts to an economic index that would restore cuts as the economy Improves. 5) Focus work-hour cuts or shift personnel in departments that have less demand for their services in a slow economy to departments or tasks requiring additional man hours. 6) Establish a ‘voluntary furlough’ program. Suggested format is: a) Each department head decides which positions or whether any positions can accommodate a personnel time reduction on a temporary basis only. b) Any employee may apply. c) Each eligible full-time employee may take off a maximum of one day per week (two days per pay period) without pay. 11