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Bernard K. Akana <br /> mayor <br /> �•, • Barry T. Mizuno <br /> U�-,- Department of Finance Director <br /> •.':fir• <br /> 25 Aupuni Street, Rm. 118 • Hilo,Hawaii 96720 • (808)961-8234 • Fax(808)961-8248 <br /> MARCH 27, 1990 <br /> TO: ROBERT E. BETHEA, CHAIRMAN, AND MEMBERS OF THE <br /> HAWAII COUNTY CHARTER COMMISSION <br /> FROM: • BARRY T. MIZUNO, DIRECTOR OF FINANCE <br /> 72) <br /> Thank you for the opportunity to submit testimony in response to <br /> your memorandum of March 8 , 1990 . I have chosen to put my <br /> comments in writing to allow the time allotted to questions . <br /> You have cited two areas of concern which need Commission action: <br /> • Determine the adequacy of 60 days for the Council to review, <br /> amend, and adopt an operating budget, and to override the <br /> Mayor ' s veto. <br /> • What mechanism, if any, should be installed for the Mayor to <br /> notify Council of any transfers within an agency. <br /> Deadlines for Budget Submission and Review <br /> Preparing the annual budget is a lengthy process beginning in <br /> October and ending in June. I believe it is the intent of the <br /> Charter that the budget is but one exercise in the entire cycle <br /> of Council reviews designated to maintain the proper checks and <br /> balances between the executive and legislative branches of <br /> County Government and to review programs . <br /> Basically, the Charter mandates policy-making by the Council and <br /> the carrying out of those policies by the Administration. The <br /> General Plan, adopted by the Council, sets forth a long-range <br /> comprehensive physical development plan for the county. <br /> Additionally, the Charter mandates that every program supported <br /> wholly or partially by County funds must be reviewed at least <br /> every four years by Council with determination of funding level <br /> adjustments or program termination. Thus the budget review <br /> should not be seen as the only opportunity to review programs by <br /> Council . <br /> The Charter requires the Mayor to submit his operating budget to <br /> the County Council no later than May 1 . The Charter also <br /> mandates adoption of the budget by June 30 ; thus , review of the <br /> budget by Council must effectively be accomplished within five <br /> or six weeks . EXHIBIT A 843 <br /> (4 pages) - <br />