Report of the Cost of Government Commission 2014-2015

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various R1 encies involved in plan reviews are present in one room to provide more timely service, Having done these intermediary initiatives to increase productivity and efficiency, can now move towards the consolidation of the Building Division and Planning Division in respect to plan review and inspection and enforcement. Initial discussion and planning on t feasibility of this consolidation effort is underway. I — propose a resolution to the State allowing each County to negotiate collective bargaining contracts with the Unions on behaff of the County. 011, Legislative action is required (HRS 89-6) to implement and it is unlikely such a change would be supported. Regardless, HRS 89-6 provides: "In addition to a collective bargaining agreement under subsection (d), each employer may negotiate, independently of one another, 'IVR i supplemental agreements that apply to their respective employees; provided that any g*i m #f 4 en to tive s h a not extend beyond the term of the applicable collective bargaining agreement and shall not require ratification by employees in the bargaining unit" More information is needed to determine if a supplemental agreement is appropriate to address operation alldepartm en t specific concerns. This administration has sought and was granted the flexibility to negotiate county -specific agreements with the various public workers unions on issues such as the number of furlough days and the cost splitfor public worker health care premiums, and the county plans to pursue similar sub-ogreements as needed. — Centralize grant writing q1 st o t with l/ of by creating a GrantSpeciali, position o work a departments in the County to improve the County's ability to receive funds front various LWffir4W The Department of Research & Development currently employs a Grants Specialist within its Resource Center. This position serves as a grant writing resource to other county departments. R&D has also subscribed to a grants search engine that assists users to locate grants that relate to the subject or area of interest. R&D provides access to this grants search engine to not only eher county agencies (departments) but also to other community non -profits and agencies. Grant writing classes as well as education on the use of the grants search engine has also been carried out by the Department of Research and Development. —I)evelop and implement a County -wide technology management plan. The office of Information Technology has developed a strategic plan and is in the process of implementing this plan through several measures. The first phase is to increase internal capacity through an upgraded server platform and new computers that will have all agencies on the some operating system and getting a// outdated computers replaced. Other initiatives include increasing the availability of online services and centralizing its location on website, increasina our use of loserfische and video conferencing, and incorporating more GPS technology into all agencies that can benefitfrom it. Phase one is already in progress and Counly of I lawai'i is an F(jual is Provider and Employer.