2006-04-06 Cost of Government Commission Minutes

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as paying a contractor to build the line or going to the Department of Health for a septic system permit. (Recess was called from 11:12 a.m. to 11:18 a.m.) The Chair called the meeting back to order at 11:18 a.m. Ms. Cushnie asked whether the DEM wanted to change the system so that people are responsible to set up a lateral to connect to the existing lines, and Mr. Ho said they would like to do so. However, the soil is often hard rock, which is expensive to dig and trench to put in a sewer line, creating a financial burden on people. So the DEM would like to be flexible as the service area spreads out. More and more people coming on line will bring the cost down to where the County can contract out to put in laterals, so it is hoped they could pick up customers that way. Ms. Cushnie said that not connecting to a sewer because of bedrock sounded like defeating the purpose of sewering. Mr. Ho said that if the cost is really prohibitive and the densities are not that great, then the impact on the environment is minimal. They like the philosophy that the carrot is better than the stick. Ms. Cushme asked if the vehicle disposal fund paid for itself, and Mr. Ho said yes, that they had a one -year trial program where they would assist people in gong onto private property and towing out abandoned vehicles, which could be leaking oils and fluids on the ground. Ms. Cushnie asked if in that period enough funds were saved, and Mr. Ho said they bad enough funds but the program is not effective because they only had one staff person, who was also responsible for abandoned vehicles on roadways. The need for those vehicles to be disposed of was much greater. There was so much illegal dumping of vehicles all over roadsides that the DEM couldn't devote enough time. The trial was promising, as well as the public response and desire to participate, but they just don't have the staff. Ms. Cushnie said she would urge Mr. Ho to put that into quantitative amounts, to build up a general fund for vehicle disposal, especially as when people switch to hybrid cars, there will be tons of vehicles to dispose of Ms. Bauman said that having only the one employee is being addressed in the next fiscal year budget. They are requesting two new positions for that program, a vehicle coordinator and a clerk to assist. Ms. Cushnie asked if a new position could be contracted out to private enterprise, rather than being made a civil service position. The Chair said he believed it was at one time contracted out, but the contractor was selling parts, and Mr. Ho said that is always the temptation. The Chair mentioned that the same individual went to Maui and got in trouble there, as well. Mr. Ho said that someone would need to oversee the contract and make sure the vendor is complying. So contracting may save a little but also create a different responsibility. 11