HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0781.000 1998-2000
Stephen K. Yamashiro Harry A. Takahashi
Mayor Director
i _ S. K. Schutte
or e?w Deputy
Countp of'aWii
DEPARTMENT OF FINANCE
25 Aupuni Street, Room 118 • Hilo, Hawaii 967204252
(808) 961-8234 • Fax(808)961-8248
May 8, 2000
Honorable James Arakaki, Chairperson and
Members of the County Council
Hawaii County Council
25 Aupuni Street
Hilo, Hawaii 96720
Re: Resolution
Enclosed is a resolution transferring $12,217 from the Provision for
Compensation Adjustment to the salaries and wages account of the Division of
Industrial Safety. These funds should aid with relieving the backlog that the
Workers' Compensation Unit has had, in part by hiring temporary personnel.
As time is of the essence, the department would like this resolution to be heard
at the Hawai'i County Council meeting to be held on June 2, 2000.
If there are any questions, please do not hesitate to call the Division of
Industrial Safety.
Harry A. Takahashi
Director of Finance
APPROVED: r
J
Stephen K. Y ashiro
Mayor
Enc.
Comm. No. 70
File r7o,...a Nb IMF
Re,'.
Ret. 4 ai~._. ?AYW ~
Form B-52
07/18/91
DEPARTMENT OF FINANCE
REQUEST FOR COUNCIL ACTION
DEPARTMENT: Division of Industrial Safety DATE: 05/04/00
STAFF CONTACT: Jay Sasan PHONE: 961-8215
A. REQUEST:
Funding for budget shortfall for the following:
1. Promotion without exam for W.C. Clerk to a W.C. Specialist III $3,604.00
Effective date 04/18/00 with TA pay back to 01/03/00
2. Additional funds for W. C. Specialist I I I from 04/18 - 06/30/00 1,802.00
3. Temporary Hire of W.C. Claims Clerk while current employee
is out on extended leave 4,087.12
4. Temporary hire of a Clerk III 2,723.48
TOTAL $12,216.60
B. BACKGROUND AND JUSTIFICATION (USE ADDITIONAL SHEETS AS
NEEDED):
The Workers' Compensation Unit at the beginning of FY 99-00 was staffed with 1 - W.C.
Claims Specialist, 2 - W.C. Claims Clerks along with 1 - CVE Student and 1 - Senior
Employee.
Our problems began in January 1997. We were without a W.C Specialist from that date
to July 1997. This individual who was hired stayed until August 1998. A new W.C.
Specialist was hired in November 1998 and released from service in May 1999. We
were then assigned a Deputy Corporation Counsel in May 1999 who did not have the
same qualifications as a W.C. Claims Specialist nor expertise in Workers'
Compensation.
Turnover has been frequent with no consistency in style, various expertise of the
employees and time spans between Specialists. These factors along with others have
caused a high backlog of cases and have contributed to low employee morale and
productivity, There is no back up for staff on leave. Backlog in processing claims have
created a high stress level for staff as claimants and vendors clamor for long delayed
settlements, payments and services.
The State has been patient in not penalizing the unit. We have seeked the approval of
the Mayor's office to fill these positions and are requesting funds to fulfill our needs until
the end of the fiscal year. Future needs will be assessed and requested as required.
\ r .
SIGNED: DATE: 05/08/00
DEPARTMENT HEAD
JAMES Y. ARAKAKI •1"•.°'•'!a~ AARON S.Y. CHUNG
Chairman & Presiding Officer BOBBY JEAN LEITHEAD-TODD
LENINGRAD ELARIONOFF
AL SMITH JULIE JACOBSON
Vice Chairman
NANCY PISICCHIO
J. CURTIS TYLER, III
DOMINIC YAGONG
COUNTY COUNCIL
County ofHawai `i
Hawaii County Building
25 Aupuni Street
Hilo, Hawaii 96720
May 12, 2000
James Y. Arakaki, Chair
Hawaii County Council
25 Aupuni Street
Hilo, Hawaii 96720
RE: Resolution No. 2 5 R _ Transferring/Appropriating an appropriation out and
from the designated fund accounts(s) and crediting same to a designated fund
account(s).
Pursuant to Section 1(e) of Rule 4 of the Rules of Procedure of the Council of the County of
Hawaii, this written request is submitted with my approval that the above-referenced matter be
waived from the Committee on Finance to the full Council for immediate action. In reviewing
this matter, timely approval is crucial. It is therefore advantageous that approval is granted and
the matter placed onto the next Council agenda for review. However, in the event this request is
denied, for whatever reason, I understand the matter shall be referred to the Committee on
Finance for placement on its future agenda.
Sincerely,
Aaron S.Y. Chung, Chair
Committee on Finance
Appro ed/Date/Waive to Council: Disapproved/Date/Refer to FC:
J Y. Arakaki, Chair James Y. Arakaki, Chair
ta ai`i County Council Hawaii County Council