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HomeMy WebLinkAboutRES 539 Draft 01 2022-2024A RESOLUTION REQUESTING THE COUNTY AUDITOR TO CONDUCT A PERFORMANCE AUDIT OF THE DEPARTMENT OF RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT TO PROMOTE TRANSPARENCY, ACCOUNTABILITY, AND EFFECTIVE RESOURCE UTILIZATION. WHEREAS, Section 6-8.3 of the Charter of the County of Hawai‘i (“the Charter”) sets forth the powers, duties, and functions of the Director of Research and Development as follows: “The director of research and development shall: Collect and develop data necessary for managerial and legislative decision-making, and program and policy-making. In collaboration and coordination with federal and state agencies as well as the private sector, advance public and private development programs, enterprises and plans, that enhance and improve the county’s environmental, cultural, community, and economic sustainability and resilience”; and WHEREAS, Chapter 2, article 8 of the Hawai‘i County Code 1983 (2019 Edition, as amended) (“the Code”), describes the purview of the Department of Research and Development (“the Department”) to include sustainable agriculture, alternative energy, ecological education, business development, green housing and buildings, and protection of biodiversity, and designates a Sustainability Action Committee within the Department to serve in an advisory capacity; and WHEREAS, the scope of the Department has expanded beyond these subjects to address additional community needs related to broadband access, climate change action, filming, Hawaiian culture, indigenous science, health and well-being, early childhood resources, workforce development, tourism, and immigration; and WHEREAS, the Department maintains responsibility over a wide variety of critical programs, projects, and services, including discretionary grant funding, the County’s Workforce Innovation Opportunity Act (“WIOA”) programs, and support for the Hawai‘i County 2022 Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy, which is essential for the County to qualify for federal funding from the U.S. Economic Development Administration; and WHEREAS, differing interpretations of the Department’s role and function have led to frequent operational changes, inconsistent priorities, and difficulties in the general oversight and evaluation of the Department in fulfilling its duty to the people of the County; and WHEREAS, performance audits are valuable tools to guide and enhance strategic direction, transparency, and operational effectiveness, and can help ensure optimal utilization of limited resources, especially where public funds and public trust are concerned; now, therefore, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE COUNTY OF HAWAI‘I that the County Auditor is hereby requested to conduct a comprehensive performance audit of the Department of Research and Development with an emphasis on: The alignment of the organization and operations of the Department with its mandate and responsibilities, as provided by the Charter and the Code; The utilization of discretionary funds, including the process of awarding and monitoring grants and measuring impacts of funded projects and initiatives; and How the administration of workforce development initiatives, including the use of WIOA funding, Hawai‘i County Workforce Development Board, Local Area Plan, and American Job Center, supports the economic goals and needs of the County. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a final audit report, detailing all conclusions, findings, and recommendations of said audit, be submitted to this body upon completion thereof. BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED that the County Clerk shall transmit a copy of this resolution to the Honorable Mitchell D. Roth, Mayor of the County of Hawai‘i; Deanna S. Sako, Managing Director; Douglass S. Adams, Director of Research and Development; Frecia Cevallos, Deputy Director of Research and Development; and Tyler J. Benner, County Auditor. Dated at _____________, Hawai‘i, this ______ day of ___________________, 20___. INTRODUCED BY: _______________________________________ COUNCIL MEMBER, COUNTY OF HAWAI‘I _______________________________________ COUNCIL MEMBER, COUNTY OF HAWAI‘I COUNTY COUNCIL County of Hawai‘i Hilo, Hawai‘i ROLL CALL VOTE    AYES NOES ABS EX   EVANS       GALIMBA       I hereby certify that the foregoing RESOLUTION was by the vote indicated to the right hereof adopted by the COUNCIL of the County of Hawai‘i on _____________________________________. INABA       KAGIWADA       KĀNEALI‘I-KLEINFELDER       KIERKIEWICZ      ATTEST: KIMBALL       LEE LOY       VILLEGAS              Reference:  COUNTY CLERK CHAIRPERSON & PRESIDING OFFICER RESOLUTION NO.