2014-12-11 Cost of Government Commission Minutes

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Ms. Garson informed the Commission that Ms. Kualii has a separate document listing all recommendations moved into the draft report so far and can email that out to all Commissioners today or tomorrow. Ms. Maddox stated the Commissioners have the ability to go back to previous minutes and reports to see if there are any other recommendations to bring forward. Ms. Maddox informed the Commission she will not be able to attend the January 8 meeting as she will be off island. 6. DISCUSSION REGARDING LOCATIONS/DATES/TIMES OF FUTURE MEETINGS/VIDEO CONFERENCING Ms. Garson suggested discussing whether or not the Commission wants to move meetings around so everyone can attend because it’s crunch time. Ms. Kelly asked if the January 20 deadline to submit the report could be extended. Ms. Garson replied no, it is a Charter-based requirement. 7. ANNOUNCEMENTS The next meeting of the Cost of Government Commission will be held on December 18, 2014 at 1:00 p.m. at the Hawai‘i County Council Room in Hilo and at the West Hawai‘i Civic Center Council Conference Room in Kona. Mr. Mitchell stated that in reading the last commission’s report, it seems to have a theme to change government or the way government does business. In reading the Mayor’s operating budget for fiscal year 2014-2015, he thinks most of the departments were given a high level of value and wants to thank County workers for their efforts during the great recession when people made sacrifices; employees accepted furloughs even as overtime was cut, staffing levels were reduced and hiring restrictions were put in place. County employee workloads have increased but their hard work and dedication allowed continued quality services, provided services and protection to the public. During the challenging years, the County’s work force decline by 155 jobs. Mr. Mitchell shared there are a lot of employees who worked hard and County residents don’t realize that. He feels the theme of their report should be how they are discovering the levels of value and simply sharing what is discovered. Ms. Maddox said the Commission talked about the point that recommendations do not always have to be things that are wrong or things that need to be improved but to highlight, appreciate and acknowledge strong effort. She said the meetings she had were very clear in that way. Mr. Espejo agreed. 10