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REPORT OF THE <br /> COMMITTEE ON FINANCE <br /> DATE: April 30, 2024 Re: Comm. No. 840/Bill No. 155 <br /> PLACE: Council Chambers <br /> Kailua-Kona, Hawaii <br /> TIME: 1:00 P.M. <br /> Council Chair and Members <br /> Hawaii County Council <br /> Hilo, Hawaii 96720 <br /> Your Committee on Finance, to which was referred Bill No. 155, reports as follows: <br /> Bill No. 155, transmitted by Finance Director Diane Nakagawa, via Communication No. 840 dated <br /> April 12, 2024, amends Ordinance No. 23-51, as amended, relating to public improvements and <br /> financing thereof for the fiscal year July 1, 2023 to June 30, 2024. <br /> This bill appropriates fuel tax revenues expected to be collected from 2024-2026 by establishing the <br /> following fuel tax program appropriations to the Capital Budget: Roadway Projects (Engineering) <br /> ($2,825,755); Bridge Inspection, Repair and Replacement Program (Engineering) ($1,883,836); and <br /> Local Road Improvements (Highways) ($4,709,591), for a total appropriation of$9,419,182. <br /> Business Manager Kelsey Kalua-Lewis provided background on this measure. Committee Member <br /> Holeka Goro Inaba asked for an explanation of the funds distribution process and how the department <br /> determines which roads would be funded. Finance Deputy Aaron Brown stated that from his research <br /> into this matter, the process is described in the original resolution. Mr. Inaba asked Mr. Brown if he <br /> would discuss this with him offline. Committee Member Cindy Evans also commented on her recent <br /> curiosity about this process. She also shared some of her research with the committee and thanked <br /> Mr. Inaba for his line of questions. Mr. Brown added that the department prioritizes roads based on <br /> needs and has specific criteria to be met before they approve repairs. <br /> Committee Member Susan L. K. Lee Loy asked if there was a timeline for this. Ms. Lee Loy suggested <br /> that if there was no urgency, then this measure could remain in this committee for a more <br /> comprehensive conversation. Ms. Kalua-Lewis stated that there was no deadline. <br /> Committee Chair Matt Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder said he would recommend moving this measure forward so <br /> that the committee could discuss it further at its upcoming Council meeting. Mr. Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder <br /> asked Ms. Kalua-Lewis why the report is done in two-year increments, to which she replied that it's the <br /> timeline they've always followed. Mr. Brown added that he believes the County follows the same <br /> guidelines as the State. <br /> FC Report No. 159 <br />