HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0627.019 2022-2024 P/Cou.nci
P,li(I IOct
COMM.a27
From: HULI Hawaii
Sent: Monday, February 5, 2024 10:57 AM
To: Council Testimony
Cc: Kierkiewicz, Ashley; Kagiwada,Jennifer; Lee Loy, Sue; Evans, Cynthia F.W.; Kimball,
Heather; Kanealii-Kleinfelder, Matt; Inaba, Holeka;Villegas, Rebecca; Galina, Michelle,
M. ..�
Subject: Testimony- Support Bill 109
14.11
Aloha County Council Members `
—
Thank you for this opportunity once again. . ,r
HULI PAC continues to be in strong support of Bill 109, in which Council members Dr. Inaba and Villegas
amend the County Charter section relating to appointments and terms of county department heads. We would
love to see our County Council representatives pass this proposal and have this proceed to the
General Election ballot for public voting.
Bill 109 is vital to bring much-needed clarity that addresses an ethical nomination, acceptance, and exit
process. This bill creates clarity and a more democratic system within our laws around re-evaluating
department heads, deputies, assistants, and private secretaries entering and exiting the administrative office.
As the law stands today, the Mayor's nominees are allowed full access to confidential information and the
ability to make changes before being accepted by the County Council. This is a network security issue and is
entirely an unethical process.
Currently, when a department head leaves, it is unclear if their entire team is terminated on the same
day. This could disrupt the process's continuity. Instead, the deputies, assistants, and private secretaries
should holdover until replaced by a director and be evaluated based on merit.
This bill would ensure that appointments for department heads are submitted within 30 days of the start of any
mayoral term and within the 60 days of the occurrence of any vacancy. Currently, if the Mayor does not appoint
the sitting department head, they could hold over indefinitely.
The department heads should only take office and have confidential access and the ability to make changes to
the current administration only after being confirmed by our County Council, including any Mayor going for
a second term. It should not be automatic that the current standing administration should be ushered in
without proper evaluation to address any current standing concerns from the public and the County Council,
nor should they be allowed an indefinite position.
This bill is extremely important to clarify before our upcoming 2024 Mayoral election to bring more
transparency, clarity, and an ethical process for our future leaders.
Thank you
Maki Morinoue
Holualoa, 96725
HULI PAC, member
Comore. No I
Ref. To:
- Ref. Dote B - 2 24
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