Laserfiche WebLink
2009 -10 Charter Commission - 9 Page 2 November 6, 2009 <br />NEW BUSINESS <br />FIRST READING OF THE FOLLOWING CHARTER AMENDMENTS: <br />CA -14: LEGISLATIVE AUDITOR <br />Amends Sections 3 -18, 10 -13, and 13 -13. Amendment to 3 -18 would give the <br />legislative auditor the authority to retain independent legal counsel. Amendment to <br />10 -13 would change the title of the section from "Post- Audit" to "Audit of Accounts <br />and Financial Transactions," define performance criteria, set the scope of the audit <br />and distribution requirements, and provides that the finance director "may" rather <br />than "shall" cause an audit of respective accounts when an administrative officer <br />leaves office. Amendment to 13 -13 would require all county contracts to have a <br />"right to audit" clause. <br />CA -15: 2% LAND FUND <br />Adds a new section to Article X, Financial Procedures. This amendment is to set <br />aside 2% of real property tax revenues to acquire lands for public access, open space, <br />and the preservation of natural resources. It closely mirrors Chapter 2, Article 42, of <br />the Hawaii County Code. This amendment also establishes the "Public Access, <br />Open Space, and Natural Resources Preservation Commission" and its duties and <br />responsibilities as well as the method of prioritizing lands for preservation. <br />CA -16: INITIATION OF CHARTER AMENDMENTS AND REVISIONS <br />Amends Section 15 -1. The purpose of this amendment is to make the requirements <br />for an elector initiated charter amendment to follow the same process and <br />requirements as for initiative and referendum. <br />CA -17: REAPPORTIONMENT TO REDISTRICTING <br />Amends Section 3 -17. This amendment is to change the name of the <br />Reapportionment Commission to "Redistricting Commission" to make the name <br />consistent with the practice of redrawing district lines. Additionally, provisions are <br />being added so that the commission shall adhere to the four redistricting criteria <br />instead of being "guided" by them. Public hearing requirements are being added as <br />well as a required report to the mayor and council about the commission's activities <br />and progress. Last, the commission is to be appointed and confirmed by July 1 prior <br />to the census year to give the commission more time to complete their work. <br />CA -18: FOUR -YEAR COUNCIL TERMS <br />Amends Section 3 -2. The purpose of this amendment is to extend the term of a <br />member of the county council from two years to four years. This amendment would <br />limit the term of councilmembers to two consecutive four -year terms. <br />CA -19: OFFICE OF COUNCIL SERVICES <br />Adds a section to Article III and amends Section 6 -5.3. The purpose is to provide the <br />County Council with the option of establishing a legal office separate from <br />Corporation Counsel if it so chooses. <br />