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Testimony to Charter Review Commission <br />Relating to the 2% Land Fund — CA -9 and CA -18 <br />Public Hearing in Kona, April 3, 2019 <br />Chair Adams, Vice -Chair Zelko-Schlueter and Members of the Commission: <br />Having followed proposals for the 2% Land Fund through many iterations in the Charter Review process, <br />I am happy to think we have finally come to a point where the proposals address the Fund's real <br />problems. <br />It was apparent when this process began that two major challenges loomed. Over the decade, purchase <br />of properties had been painfully slow. That led both government officials and some members of the <br />public to question why so much money should go unused. The second problem was the difficulty of non- <br />profits receiving stewardship g rants to fulfill their maintenance responsibilities. <br />The proposed CA -9 change introduced by Commission Galimba would address both problems. Paying for <br />a full-time staff person in the Department of Finance to work only on the 2% Land Fund would allow a <br />focus on the complex processes of acquiring land and seeking outside funding. It would also allow that <br />staff person to offer help to non -profits as they weave their way through the paperwork required for <br />funding. <br />Changes to the Maintenance Fund as introduced by Sally Rice include one very important item: that the <br />Department of Finance administer the Fund. Parks and Recreation already has a full plate. With a second <br />employee in the Department of Finance to administer the Fund -- one dealing solely with the Fund — <br />non -profits should be able to receive and distribute their funding much more effectively. It is unrealistic <br />to expect the program to be effective without proper maintenance. <br />Ca -18 in its presently proposed form allows the construction of small structures and the building of <br />trails. More important, it will enable payment for work done on the land. The latter is crucial to making <br />sure that coordination and consistency of programs go forward. <br />Thank you for your considerable patience in dealing with PONC over the last six months. It is a program <br />dear to the hearts of many Big Islanders — one where our County can stand out in looking to the future. <br />Please support both CA -9 and CA -18 as now proposed. <br />Susan Dursin <br />Captain Cook, HI <br />Comm. No. 24.98 <br />