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• z 410 COUNTY COUi\CIL Charter Review Commission County of Hawaii February 20 , 1979 Hawaii County Building Page 4 Hilo, Hawaii 96720 • E. Section 13-4 Boards and Commissions • The Council recommends that the boards and commissions be retained intact. These boards and commissions are another means by which the public -is able to foster their input into the governmental processes. This is another segment of the all important system of checks ' and balances incorporated into our democratic system insuring the rights' of the people to be heard. II. NEW CONSIDERATIONS A. Real Property Tax Assessment The State Constitutional Convention has resulted in • an amendment to the real property taxation powers by transferring the powers and functions relating to real property taxation from the State to the counties. Being as the County Council is charged with the responsibility of - establishing the tax rate, we would recommend that the tax assessment function be assigned to the County Council ' s Legislative Auditor. B. Confirmation of Department Heads The Council would. also recommend that their confirma- . tion authority .be expanded to include all the depart® • ment heads. It is the accepted practice that basic policy-making functions remain with the Council and . traditionally the administrative officers have been charged with the responsibility of executing the policy decisions of the Council. In order to assure that policies and programs of the legislative branch are implemented some supervision by the Council should be incorporated. The confirmation of the cabinet members of the administration would cast some onus on the departments to adhere to Council policies- and oliciesand programs. _The County of Hawaii has experienced significant changes in its socio-economic status. Modern technology has brought Hawaii and the rest of the world closer together .and it is reflected in the .type and level of services being demanded by the people. The future outlook for the County of Hawaii is bright, our Charter should be designed to cope. with the ever changing needs of our society.