1999-06-23 Charter Commission Minutes

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Page 5 of 12 HERKES: We are the only county that does not have nonpartisan election now so you probably are right that there’s some move in that direction in the state. Also, in a Managing Director, would you be willing to pay a Managing Director about $200,000 a year because that’s what they cost? LAWSON: You know, this is a question that I know is on everyone’s mind and I’m here to tell you that I believe you pay the going rate. For that, you demand accountability and in that, you get efficiency in the rest of government. HERKES: A couple of more questions. Okay, thank you. Department of Human Services: It’s now as you expressed, under the County Council with the Economic Development and Human Affairs Committee. Would you leave it under there or would you put it as a separate department under the Administration? It’s under the Legislative Branch now. Would you leave it under the Legislative Branch or put it under the Administration Branch where most of the other departments are? LAWSON: That’s why I told you I was in a quandary about it. I don’t have an answer to that. HERKES: Okay. Well, I just wondered what you thought would work better. I’m not sure either. I was curious. LAWSON: This will tip my number here. I certainly at this point, wouldn’t want to see it put under Administration. HERKES: Okay. And what about any other counties that have a Department of Human Service? Do you know any other ones that have a Department of Human Services? Do you know if - LAWSON: Well, Honolulu is the Personnel Department, whatever that is. RAY: Maui County has a Department of Housing and Human Services so it’s not really a straight comparison. HERKES: I just wondered if there was somewhere we could go for information. I don’t care about copying things. I just would like to see one that works and see how it works. LAWSON: If that’s an invitation, I’ll get you some websites. HERKES: Okay. Good. And the other thing I’d like to say, for your information but also for George’s, that in 2002 we will have a special election because we will have a special election after our census and we’ll have an election in 2000 and then we’ll have an election in 2002 that probably will not affect the Mayors races because they are island wide but it will affect all the Senators and Representatives that are elected by vote. LAWSON: And that just solidifies my feeling is that there is some mechanism short of waiting four years. HERKES: There is. Every ten years. Thank you. Thank you Mr. Chairman. RAY: Kevin. BALOG: Just one question with the Managing Director vs. Executive Branch. So you’re saying you’d be comfortable having a majority of a council, nine people, which could be only five out of nine people, file://\\coh01\cohweb\council\charter_commission\minutes\minutes 6-23-99.html7/1/2011