2006-05-30 Public Access, Open Space and Natural Resources Preservation Commission Minutes (Hilo Mtg)

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Commissioner Flores asked Mr. Iwamoto if there was any budget process for the County. Mr. Iwamoto replied that for the fiscal year 2006 -2007, the Finance Director did budget for this commission. The Department of Finance is currently reorganizing and a new division will be created under the Department of Finance, called Department of Land Management which this commission will be under and there is a budget for this separate division which begins July 1, 2006 through June 30, 2007. Commissioner Flores then asked if there is a budget for the operations of this commission. Mr. Iwamoto indicated that there is a budget set aside for this commission under the new division, Department of Land Management, however he did not know how much money was allocated for it. Commissioner Garovoy asked if he could bring that information to the next meeting. Commissioner Campbell stated his concerns as to the stability of this fund, as he was receiving conflicting information. Commissioner Campbell spoke to David Kimo Frankel and Mr. Frankel insisted that the County Council can not touch the fund. Commissioner Campbell felt this commission was missed informed that the County Council dipped into the fund by budgeting only $1 million dollars instead of the $3 million dollars that Mayor Kim asked for. Mr. Iwamoto indicated that the administration did ask for $3 million dollars, but through budgeting process, the County Council reduced it to $1 million dollars. Commissioner Campbell questioned if the County Council can dip into this fund anytime they please. Mr. Iwamoto replied in the affirmative. Attorney Leithead -Todd stated this would work solely to other special funds set up by State of Hawaii. History has shown that State legislature frequently moves monies around and because the money comes out of real property tax base, the County Council would have to announce it to the public and have it on the agenda. Commissioner Garovoy stated this commission was informed that the County Council had decided to make this move on the Mayor's recommended budget but was notified after the fact. It would be nice if it was apparent that this kind of discussion was going come up on the agenda, that this commission be notified so that this commission could have opportunity to send the chair or another commissioner to respond at the budget hearing. Attorney Leithead -Todd stated that because we are governed by the sunshine law and unable to discuss with each other proposed amendments these things frequently surface on the floor, at the meeting with no prior notice to the public. Part of that is because they are held back from discussing with each other the proposals. 11