Report of the Cost of Government Commission - January 9, 2007

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Exnlanation/Background: Because of the distances traveled to many work sites, Highway Maintenance Division personnel often spend a significant portion of their work time getting to and from work sites and mobilizing job site equipment. A 10-hour work schedule would mean more efficient time on the job as well as an increase to the morale of the Highway Maintenance employees. (2) Recommend that County and State highways be "condensed" into one, with the County handling all the maintenance of the State highways, be pursued ExnlanationBackg~ound: Currently, both the State and County have sections of roads and highways they maintain, causing a redundancy of work and equipment. For example, there aze two baseyazds for road crews in each district of the island, one belonging to the State and the other to the County. On September 7, 2006, Joseph Kamelamela, a deputy corporation counsel, attended a COGC meeting to urge the commissioners to reconsider their recommendation to consolidate the roadways under the County. Mr. Kamelamela was concerned about the potential legal ramifications and liability issues. However, the COGC believes the consolidation makes good sense and would save the County money. B. Buildi~ Division (and Planning Department): Recommend exploring consolidating the review of building permits (so two departments are not reviewing the same thin. Background/Bxnlanation: See Background/Explanation to recommendation XVI(A) on pages 10-11. XX. RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT Jane Testa, the department's director, provided information on the Reseazch and Development Department on December 7, 2006. After reviewing and discussing the responses from Ms. Testa, no recommendations were made. XXI. TRANSIT AGENCY A response dated May 5, 2006, to the COGC's questionnaire was received from the Transit Agency. After reviewing and discussing the response, no recommendations were made by the COGC. 13