CHC 1979-04-17 PH - Laserfiche WebLink

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can be worked out to the satisfaction to have the necessary representation. The second thing I would like to speak on is the desirability of a ceiling on spending in the county govern- ment. We live in a time of inflation. It is obvious that as population increases, as the demand for services increase, as costs rise, as technology changes we require, undoubtedly, greater expenditures in our county government. Just as every other facet of our governing bodies do. However, I 'think it would be most beneficial if we were to place a ceiling upon this amount of moneys that can be appropriated for whatever expenditures. Again , this would have to be the technicalities of how this is worked out-would have to be studied. But the advantage is, as I see it, in placing ceilings on spending is forcing our government to place priorities on the expenditures that are made, where, perhaps those priorities do not exist today. For instance, it would seem somewhat inapp- ropriate to me that we would build a racetrack in one community when another community doesn 't have a fire station or 24-hour police service. A ceiling on expenditures would necessarily force the people spending these tax funds to place priorities on what is to be spent.and where._Of= course we- need a base to establish how much increase could be allowed over a period of time. But, again, those are technicalities that I am sure our wise and good people can come to grips with. The third item that I would address is the matter of when we vote on any changes that you folks propose to be made in the County Charter.;-It is my understanding that to hold a special election in this county comes to a sum of some $60,000 give or take a few. The charter itself mandates that the charter be reviewed every ten years. It does not mandate, however, exactly when any revisions must be voted on. I believe it states that it can be at a general election. At the next general election or at a special election. I would propose that while what-we discuss as changes are important, they are certainly not earthshattering and do not require a special election. What you good folks decide to put before the public to be voted on could just as well wait until the 1980 general election as to spend $60,000 for a special election in 1979. Thank you, that is all. MR. OMONAKA: With regard to the concept of one-man, one-vote, do you have any idea as to how many council members we should have? MR. ANDERSON: I personally favor nine. I would see the island being divided into 9 districts of approxi- mately equal population. MR. OMONAKA: What happens if the boundaries are not within the so-called communities that have rather close relations to one another? - 5 -