HomeMy WebLinkAboutRES 539 Draft 02 2022-2024COUNTY OF HAWAII :t STATE OF HAWAII
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RESOLUTION NO. 539 24
(DRAFT 2)
A 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 Hawaii ("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:
(a) Collect and develop data necessary for managerial and legislative decision -
making, and program and policy -making.
(b) 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 Hawaii 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 C'WIOA") programs, and support for the Hawaii 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 thorough performance audit of the Department
of Research and Development with respect to the following subject matters:
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;
How the administration of workforce development initiatives, including the use of
WIOA funding, Hawaii County Workforce Development Board, Local Area Plan,
and American Job Center, supports the economic goals and needs of the County as
identified in the County's Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy;
The Department's process, methodology, and role in stewarding special federal
grants, such as the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding; and
The Department's efforts to identify, secure, and manage other state, federal, and
philanthropic grants.
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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 Hilo , Hawai`i, this 10th day of July , 2024 •
INTRO UCED BY:,
COUNCIL MEMBER, COUNTY OF HAWAI`I
COUNCIL MEMBER, COUNTY OF HAWAI`I
COUNTY COUNCIL ROLL CALL VOTE
County of Hawai`i AYES NOES ABS EX
Hilo, Hawai`i EVANS X
GALIMBA X
I hereby certify that the foregoing RESOLUTION was by INABA X
the vote indicated to the right hereof adopted by the COUNCIL of the KAGIWADA X
County of Hawaii on July 10, 2024 X
KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER
KIERKIEWICZ X
ATTEST: KIMBALL X
LEE LOY X
VILLEGAS X
7 0 2 0
Reference: C-908.3/GOEAC-143
Y CLERK C AIRPERSON&PRESIDING OFFICER RESOLUTION NO. 539 24
(DRAFT 2)
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