HomeMy WebLinkAboutREP FC 031 2023/03/21 2022-2024 REPORT OF THE
COMMITTEE ON FINANCE
DATE: March 21, 2023 Re: Comm.No. 153/Bill No. 33
PLACE: Council Chambers
Kailua-Kona, Hawai`i
TIME: 1:45 p.m.
Council Chair and Members
Hawai`i County Council
Hilo, Hawai`i 96720
Your Committee on Finance, to which was referred Bill No. 33,reports as follows:
Bill No. 33,transmitted by Finance Director Deanna Sako,via Communication No. 153 dated
March 3, 2023, amends Ordinance No. 22-63, as amended, the Operating Budget for the County of
Hawaii for the Fiscal Year ending June 30, 2023.
This bill appropriates revenues in the State Grants—Senior Activities account($100,000) and the
State Grants—Senior Activities Program Income account($15,000); and appropriates the same to the
Senior Activities account($100,000) and the Senior Activities Program Income account($15,000).
i Office Committee Member Cindy Evans asked for clarification from o O e
of Aging g
Administrator
Horace Farr on the working relationship between the Office of Aging and the Department of Parks and
Recreation,to which Mr. Farr replied that the Office of Aging is the designated area agency for Hawai`i
County attached to the Mayor's office. Parks and Recreation is its largest contractor and provider of
senior services. Ms. Evans then asked if the Office of Aging is obligated to use the Parks and Recreation
department or if they could choose to work with any department.Mr. Farr said that they are not
obligated to use Parks and Recreation department and explained the reasons why the department chose
to contract with them and not another department.
Committee Chair Matt Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder asked Mr. Farr if these funds could be contracted out to
private organizations rather than through Parks and Recreation. Mr. Farr replied that if a senior club or
organization were part of their network,they would qualify; however,there are not any, and the only
senior clubs or centers are within Parks and Recreation. Mr. Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder expressed concern
about a lack of senior services and centers on the island.
Committee Member Michelle Galimba mentioned that her grandmother went to the senior center in
Na`alehu and expressed gratitude for these services. Ms. Galimba then asked if, during Covid,these
services shut down. Mr. Farr explained that the congregate sites closed, so the department focused on
home services; however, the department struggled with finding staff willing to go out into the
community during that time. Currently,the department is trying to get all services back online, but are
experiencing an employee shortage. Mr. Farr went on to explain the struggles that this office is
experiencing to get the proper services out to the community.
FC Report No. 31
FC-31 Page 2 March 21,2023
Mr. Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder thanked Mr. Farr for being present at the meeting to answer questions .
Your Committee on Finance is in accord with the purpose and intent of Bill No. 33, and recommends its
passage on first reading.
Ikh
AYES NOES ABS EX Respectfully submitted,
EVANS X
GALIMBA X COMMITTEE ON FINANCE
INABA X 4"
KAGIWADA X
KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER X
KIERKIEWICZ x MATT KANEALI - EINFELDER,
KIMBALL x CHAIR
LEE LOY X FC REPORT NO.: 31
VILLEGAS X ADOPTED: . APR 0 5 2023