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MR. SCHUTTE: Mr. Cadinha mentioned the <br /> possibility of the Department of Water Supply being under <br /> your department if you would be in a position to handle <br /> that. Would you want to voice any opinion on that or do <br /> you think it should be that semi-autonomous should be taken <br /> away from the Department of Water Supply? <br /> MR. HARADA: I think it can be handled a <br /> number of ways. It can taintain a status quo. It can be <br /> made a separate department within the county. Not necessarily <br /> under Public Works but having its own label, Department of <br /> Water. But falling under the direct supervision of the <br /> mayor or it can be made a division within Public Works as <br /> Mr. Cadinha suggested . <br /> The other option, also, is that if wewere <br /> trading things , the suggestion that perhaps sewer should <br /> be with water and continue water under either the present <br /> structure or as a department. I think all of these combi- <br /> nations should be reviewed very carefully and if the questions <br /> that are being posed to me are such that it implies my take- <br /> over of water then as my response, earlier, would be that I <br /> think it could be accomodated within the present structure of <br /> the department. <br /> MR. SCHUTTE: From what I can gather here, <br /> it does come under certain aspects of the Department of Public <br /> Works anyway. You sit on the Commission mainly because they <br /> need your input to the Water Commission and I would assume <br /> that, to some degree it is possible to marry the two depart- <br /> ments. <br /> MR. HARADA: I think so, because, basically, <br /> both activities are engineering related and they do the <br /> surveys and engineering and construction and inspection <br /> similar to any other project that we do. <br /> MR. CADINHA: Mr. Harada, if the marriage <br /> does take place. Either through the semi-autonomous body <br /> or back into the county, do you see any economies coming as <br /> a result? Do you see any monetary savings? I know this is <br /> off the top of your head but could you see efficiencies put <br /> in? <br /> MR. HARADA: There might be. I see one, for <br /> example, where there would be centralized purchasing. Right <br /> now, I understand , they have their own purchasing agent, for <br /> example. And certain items are purchased through that <br /> department. All others go through the centralized purchasing <br /> through the Finance Department. With some consolidation. <br /> They either being a department of the county or otherwise. <br /> Perhaps that one area could be streamlined somewhat. In <br /> terms of cost savings, I 'm not that familiar with that that <br /> I could respond very accurately. I think that the primary <br /> advantage would be one of coordination. <br /> -21- <br />