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Hawaii County Charter Commission -8 February 8, 2019 <br />CHR. ADAMS: Okay. <br />MR. HENRICKS: Mr. Chair... <br />CHR. ADAMS: Commissioner Hamann <br />CHR. ADAMS: I am sorry. Mr. Henricks. <br />MR. HENRICKS: That was well and good but I think just if I could, if I could <br />just clarify what I have here too. <br />CHR. ADAMS: Sure. <br />MR. HENRICKS: Kind of rekindled my notes if you will. So, just for sake of <br />discussion, to simplify without worrying about too many of the extraneous words, <br />the acquisition fund would be two percent, the maintenance fund would be .25%, <br />and the paragraph about suspension of the fund is repealed entirely, and that is the <br />amendment in its heart. Correct? <br />CHR. ADAMS: That's correct. <br />MR. HENRICKS: Okay, thank you. <br />CHR. ADAMS: Commissioner Harnano. <br />MR. HAMANO: Thank you Chair Adams. You know one of the main purposes <br />behind the CA -7 as amended was to lower the mandated percentage rate that goes <br />into the PONC fund from two percent to a total of one percent. I would <br />respectfully remind my fellow Commissioners that we passed for initial approval <br />CA -7 as amended, which among other things lowered the PONC percentage rate. <br />Now many members of the Commission made clear that while they personally did <br />not want the PONC percentage rate lowered, that they still would vote in favor of <br />CA -7 as amended to allow the voters of the County of Hawai`i to decide for <br />themselves. Now this new amendment to CA -7 would put back the same PONC <br />percentage rate that we now have. That would not allow the voters to decide you <br />know, whether a lower amount is their wish. Now, I agree with the testimony <br />which expounds on the benefits of the PONC program that affords the people in <br />the County of Hawaii and I agree that we should do whatever we can to <br />strengthen the PONC program. However, while the PONC fund set aside of two <br />percent or over six million dollars is relatively small to all of the other budgetary <br />needs of the County, you know, this mandatory set aside is guaranteeing a budget <br />amount for a special interest project without any Council input or debate when <br />there are budgetary needs in the County having far greater priority. An over six <br />million dollar guarantee ties the hands of the County Council where they may <br />have to cut budgets for road work, public safety, Puna disaster relief, and the <br />Page 31 <br />