HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 1034.002 2018-2020 ,1
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August 18, 2020
M7-11 A 74*
Members of the Hawaii County Council,
Hawaii County Council
25 Aupuni Street
Hilo, Hawaii 96720
RE: Resolution No. 709-20
Aloha Distinguished Members of the Hawaii County Council!
I would like to congratulate all of you for your fiscal prudence and foresight in seeking a hiring
freeze immediately. These are extremely challenging times requiring very difficult decision
making. Resolution 709-20 will go a long way towards providing the next Council and the next
Administration every available tool in the financial and fiscal toolbox. The State has just
signaled that there will be furloughs and a need to defer payments and make loans to meet
their own budgetary shortfalls. The County has much more limited revenue generating
authority and this means that every dollar saved today will be needed for a shortfall tomorrow.
All hiring should come to a screeching halt except for Police, Fire, and Civil Defense and
essential hires that are justified and approved by the Hawaii County Council. This should
include positions that are in every phase of the hiring process: posting, recruitment, interviews,
and selection. The County should not be investing in longterm budgetary commitments in the
next three months when there is so much uncertainty and unpredictability about our financial
situation in the upcoming fiscal year. Thank you for introducing and favorably considering
Resolution 709-20 as it will allow greater fiscal flexibility in the future for the County of Hawaii.
Thank you for the opportunity to comment on Resolution 709-20.
Aloha!
William P. Kenoi
Puna, Hawai'I Island
Comm. No.
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