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asked whether his observation was correct, that the County government is run on a strong <br />department basis, with the Mayor playing a minimal role. He asked if there were <br />functions which the Mayor or managing director were supposed to be doing. <br />Mr. Sumada said that he came back to County employment about a year ago. In talking <br />with long -term civil service employees who have gone through several administrations, <br />some of them say that how Mayor Kim chooses to have his staff or managing director <br />carry out the normal duties or operations is unique. Previous mayors would set a vision <br />or direction for the County, and the daily operations would be delegated to the managing <br />director. Depending on their personalities, it could work effectively so that the managing <br />director would oversee the daily operations of all the departments. The mayor would get <br />involved if there was a major policy change or vision issue. Mayor Kim runs things very <br />differently, and he and Dixie Kaetsu work closely together. Mayor Kim is involved in a <br />lot of operational things, like a CEO who chooses to manage in that regard. That is his <br />preference, and it is a matter of style. <br />Mr. Sumada said that regarding Mr. Sakaguchi's comment about each department being <br />its own kingdom, there are major departments in the County who serve major functions, <br />such as Fire, Police, and Parks. These take up a large chunk of the County budget <br />because they provide services the public demands. The public requires certain things, <br />and that is why the government is as big or as small as it is. The connotation of a <br />kingdom may be because the departments are competing for a limited amount of <br />resources. There is only so much revenue to be divvied up. Each department or division <br />is passionate about its own needs and priorities and feels its needs should be met before <br />the next department's needs. The greatest test of an administration or mayor is when <br />there is not enough money and the budget has to be balanced. So a five or ten percent cut <br />may be made across the board, which is not necessarily the best technique. Few mayors <br />look at which program is more important than another, which would be the ability to <br />manage the distribution of resources. So there is a competitive nature between the <br />departments when funds are being allocated. Each administration carries a philosophy, <br />and usually no one wants to raise taxes. The County receives less and less money, yet the <br />public demands more and more, so things get watered down. He said that some of the <br />comments he turned in reflect that they are down to bare bones and need to evaluate the <br />need for certain services, as some are not the most efficient or are not meeting the current <br />needs. Tough choices have to be made. It is a matter of style, and it is the Mayor's <br />prerogative. Mayor Kim is a hands -on kind of guy. <br />Mr. Sakaguchi said that is fine, but there are departments, an administration, a managing <br />director, executive officials, and Council and the Mayor. Are all these people needed? <br />He does not know why some of the smaller department heads stay on, as they have so <br />many problems, are losing talented people, and have their hands tied by red tape. <br />Mr. Sumada questioned what smaller departments Mr. Sakaguchi meant, and he <br />explained that he meant the division chiefs who have spoken to the COGC. <br />Ms. Garson clarified that he was referring to division heads, members of the Civil <br />Service. <br />13 <br />