HomeMy WebLinkAboutREP FC 208 2024/10/01 2022-2024REPORT OF THE
DATE: October 1, 2024
PLACE: Council Chambers
Hilo, Hawaii
TIME: 9:3 6 a.m.
Council Chair and Members
Hawaii County Council
Hilo, Hawaii 96720
Re: Comm. No. 1083/13ill No. 215
Your Committee on Finance, to which was referred Bill No. 215, reports as follows:
Bill No. 215, transmitted by Mayor Mitchell D. Roth via Communication No. 1083, dated
September 19, 2024, authorizes the issuance of General Obligation Bonds of the County of Hawaii
for the purpose of funding all or a portion of the costs of various improvement projects; fixes the form,
denominations, and certain other details of such bonds and provides for their sale to the public; and
authorizes the taking of other actions relating to the issuance and sale of the bonds.
This bill authorizes the issuance of up to $150 million in General Obligation Bonds to fund certain
Capital Improvement Projects including: Construction of the Hilo Wastewater Treatment Plant; Parks
and Recreation Americans with Disabilites Act projects; planning and design for a County morgue;
Animal Control shelter repairs; Central Fire Station repairs; and maintenance of other County
facilities.
Finance Director Diane Nakagawa and County Treasurer Chris Nakano provided background on this
measure. Public Works Director Steve Pause and Parks and Recreation Director Maurice Messina
were also available to answer questions.
Committee Member Heather Kimball recused herself from the vote because her husband's architecture
firm may contract some of these projects.
Committee Member Cindy Evans asked if these projects were ready to be constructed. Ms. Nakagawa
stated that they were ready to go. Ms. Evans questioned how projects were prioritized. Mr. Pause
replied that they have gone through some review to determine what takes priority.
Committee Member Jenn Kagiwada requested more information on Mr. Pause's statement regarding
road repairs, as it seems the list of projects provided does not include many road work projects.
Mr. Pause stated they have been doing drainage studies and drainage work on the west side, and with
the recent flooding in that area, there is a need to understand what has caused that problem and what
infrastructure that area may need.
Committee Member Ashley L. Kierkiewicz asked how they are tracking appropriations across multiple
bonds and the status of these projects. Ms. Nakagawa explained how they have managed these
appropriations and how Mr. Nakano and the Accounts Division track these allotment requests.
FC Report No. 208
FC-208 Page 2 October 1, 2024
Committee Chair Matt Kdneali`i-Kleinfelder asked what our total debt service is. Ms. Nakagawa
replied that fiscal year 2024-2025 is $62 million in the General Fund. Mr. Kdneali`i-Kleinfelder asked
about next year's projected debt service, to which Ms. Nakagawa replied it would increase by
$7 million to $10 million. Mr. Kdneali`i-Kleinfelder asked Mr. Messina to provide information on the
projects he wants to address. Mr. Kdneali`i-Kleinfelder appreciated his overview and offered his
support on this measure.
Your Committee on Finance is in accord with the purpose and intent of Bill No. 215, and recommends
its passage on first reading.
Ikh
AYES
NOES
ABS
EX
EVANS
X
GALIMBA
X
INABA
X
KAGIWADA
X
KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER
X
KIERKIEWICZ
X
KIMBALL
X
LEE LOY
X
VILLEGAS
X
Respectfully submitted,
COMMITTEE ON FINANCE
MATT �NEALII-KLEINFELDER,
CHAIR
FC REPORT NO.: 208
ADOPTED: OCT 1 6 2024