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KOHMA <br /> F°� 1 WEST AFAH 0 P TTE E -- <br /> NGAI!{zndSOUTH .� POST OFFICE BOX 1761 / KAILUA-KONA, HAWAII 96740 <br /> KGNA z, <br /> { February 269 1979 <br /> KAT <br /> Hawaii County Charter Review Commission <br /> County Office Building <br /> Hilo, Hawaii <br /> Gentlemen: <br /> As previously indicated to youin our letter of January 12 <br /> the West Hawaii Committee has been examining various aspects <br /> of needed or proposed County Charter revisions, At this time <br /> we should like to appraise you of our recommendations on <br /> the two very important subjects of the Mayor vs County Manager <br /> form of government and the election and composition of the <br /> County Council. <br /> MAYOR vs COUNTY MANAGER <br /> After examination of County Manager enabling statutes of <br /> 8 states and 6 county charters and hearing reports of actual <br /> County/City Manager experience the West Hawaii Committee <br /> voted 'unanimously to recommend to you that the Hawaii County <br /> Charter should continue the present County Council/Mayor <br /> form of government but with certain modifications to : <br /> 1) Strengthen the effectiveness of the Council <br /> 2 ) Curtail some of the Mayor4s power as to financial <br /> • procedures and as to appointment of department heads <br /> 3) Limit the growth of the County Budget, Debts and <br /> teal Property Taxes <br /> 4) Remove present charter section 11 -2 restrictions <br /> on Initiative and Referendum <br /> Although the County Manager form of government appears at <br /> first glance to offer advantages of more efficient administration, <br /> in practice it appears that there are offsetting disadvantages • <br /> which limit actual attainment® Therefore it appears best for <br /> this County to build on the past ten years experience by making <br /> some modifications to the Mayor and Council relationships, <br /> rather than scrap the present form of government and go <br /> through the probably painful learning process of a new forma The <br /> • <br /> eel�jeld`o. NO, <br /> --- <br />