2018-04-05 Cost of Government Commission minutes

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Cost of Government Commission April 5, 2018 meeting minutes DISCUSSION AND REVIEW OF THE RULES OF THE HAWAI‘I COUNTY COST OF GOVERNMENT COMMISSION (taken out of agenda order)  Discussion comments included: o rules could be amended at any time o Mr. Yoshimoto advised that, if the Commission needs to, it could suspend a rule if the majority approved that, including for the schedule of meetings. Commissioner Buehler motioned to accept rules. Commissioner Woo seconded. Motion approved unanimously by voice vote – 8 ayes DISCUSSION REGARDING THE DUTIES OF THE COST OF GOVERNMENT COMMISSION (taken out of agenda order)  Mr. Takemoto provided an overview of the Commission duties as described in the Charter. Mr. Yoshimoto relayed that, according to the Charter, the Commission needs to submit a report not later than eleven months after its appointment. January would be the deadline. Commission is looking at expenditures, eliminating duplication or overlapping services, consolidation, abolishing unnecessary services. The Commission needs to study and investigate and can call upon different departments and other Commissions for suggestions. These are formal duties. Discussion was open to Commissioners on how they interpret the duties: o Commissioner Jones stated that she would like to see implementation because she is not seeing that from previous recommendations. She broke down the recommendations of the previous Commission and the answers from each of the departments. She observes that there were 20 with no responses. She would like this Commission to find a way to help the departments make the suggestions materialize. Instead of more suggestions, she would like to see when these will occur. o Commissioner Buehler asked at what level do the recommended changes have to be approved and action required. Mr. Takemoto replied that the findings and recommendations are directed to the Mayor, Managing Director and Council. Mr. Yoshimoto added that it would be effective that a presentation be made to the Council so that members have opportunity to ask questions. o Commissioner Hopkins stated she would not want to repeat recommendations. Mr. Yoshimoto indicated the Commission can request and recommend that a plan be submitted by the administration on how the recommendations will be implemented. o Commissioner Larson noted other tools available to the Commission such as public forums as attendees and sending letters to the newspapers to help keep ideas in front of the public, Mayor and Council. o The appropriation of funding for the Cost of Government Commission has been made. o Commissioner Larson suggested dividing up the areas the Commission will review and reporting back to the overall body. 2