Comm No 0021 - Transmit CA-7 - Laserfiche WebLink

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5. Should sections 10-15 and 10-16 be revised to streamline and clarify its content? Finding: Hawai`i County's Charter establishes the County's executive, administrative, and legislative structure and organization. Language that goes beyond this framework is typically reserved for inclusion in the County Code or even administrative rules. Sections 10-15 and 10-16 should be revised to align their contents with the function and purpose of the Charter. Recommendation: One committee member proposed replacing sections 10-15 and 10-16 with the following: "Section 10-15. Public Access, Open Space, and Natural Resources Preservation and Maintenance Funds. (a) In adopting each fiscal year's budget and capital program, the council shall appropriate one percent of certified real property tax revenues, 0.75% of which shall be deposited into a fund known as the public access, open space, and natural resources preservation fund and the remaining 0.25% of which shall be deposited into a fund to be called the public access, open space, and natural resources maintenance fund. The Council may by a two-thirds vote suspend this appropriation requirement when: (1) The combined balance of the preservation and maintenance funds exceeds 2% of the annual real property tax revenue of the fiscal year; or (2) The director of finance determines in writing that the suspension of this appropriation is necessary to prevent a reduction in the level of public services. (b) Moneys in the public access, open space, and natural resources preservation fund shall be utilized for purchasing or otherwise acquiring lands or property entitlements for land conservation purposes in Hawai`i County for: (1) Public outdoor recreation and education; (2) Access to beaches and mountains; (3) Preserving historic or culturally important land areas; (4) Protecting natural resources, significant habitats, or ecosystems, including buffer zones; (5) Preserving forests, beaches, coastal areas, areas of natural beauty, and agricultural lands; (6) Protecting watershed lands to preserve water quality and water supply; -11-