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HomeMy WebLinkAboutREP GOEAC 134 2026-05-19 2024-2026Hawaii County Council-41 June 3, 2026 Bill 158: INITIATES AN AMENDMENT TO ARTICLES III, IV, V, VI, VII, VIII, X, XIII, AND XVI, OF THE CHARTER OF THE COUNTY OF HAWAI`I (2024 EDITION), RELATING TO THE STRUCTURE AND ORGANIZATION OF THE COUNTY Converts the County's government to a hybrid council-manager system, in which certain County departments and operations are overseen by an appointed County Manager and others are overseen by an elected Mayor. Reference: Comm.890 Intr. by: Council Member Kimball Approve: GOEAC-134 2/3 Vote: First of three required readings, Section 15-1(a), Hawaii County Charter AMENDED TO DRAFT 2 (see Communication No. 890.2) AND FAILED: Ayes: Council Members Galimba, Kimball, and Villegas — 3. Noes: Council Members Hustace, Kagiwada, Kierkiewicz, Onishi, and Chair Inaba — 5. Absent: Council Member Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder — 1. Excused: None. Bill 159: INITIATES AN AMENDMENT TO ARTICLES III, V, VI, VII, VIII, AND X OF THE CHARTER OF THE COUNTY OF HAWAI`I (2024 EDITION), RELATING TO THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A BIENNIAL OPERATING BUDGET AND CAPITAL BUDGET Establishes biennial budgeting for the County, with an initial primary budget to be adopted every odd -numbered year and a supplemental operating budget to be adopted every even -numbered year. \hUYY:1�7;7_Vdl�l Reference: Comm.891 Intr. by: Council Member Kimball Negative: FC-153 (Due to a vote of 1-aye, 8-noes) 2/3 Vote: First of three required readings, Section 15-1(a), Hawaii County Charter Page 10 REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENTAL OPERATIONS AND EXTERNAL AFFAIRS DATE: May 19, 2026 PLACE: Council Chambers Hilo, Hawaii TIME: 9:00 a.m. Council Chair and Members Hawaii County Council Hilo, Hawaii 96720 Re: Comm. No. 890/Bill No. 158 Your Committee on Governmental Operations and External Affairs, to which was referred Bill No. 158, reports as follows: Bill No. 158, transmitted by Council Member Heather L. Kimball, via Communication No. 890, dated May 1, 2026, initiates an amendment to Articles III, IV, V, VI, VII, VIII, X, XIII, and XVI, of the Charter of the County of Hawaii (2024 Edition), relating to the structure and organization of the County. This bill converts the County's government to a hybrid council-manager system, in which certain County departments and operations are overseen by an appointed County Manager and others are overseen by an elected Mayor. Member Kimball began by saying that while some may think that this bill is a referendum on the current administration, this is something she has been working on since before she was elected to office. She said that she is bringing this up now in honor of a constituent who advocated for it who recently passed away, as well as to help create stability and consistency between mayoral administrations. She further explained how the Council has the authority to set policy like this, including that they are not actually required to have a Mayor. She provided additional rationale and background for this legislation, as well as explaining the mechanics of this policy. Additionally, she explained the fiscal benefits of this model of governance as well as improved service to the community. Committee Member James E. Hustace asked questions about the hiring process for the County Manager. Member Hustace asked if the education requirements were on par with other counties that have adopted this model. Member Kimball replied that these are similar requirements across counties and that there is a professional guidance on this from national organizations. Member Hustace also asked about the physical space that this person would be operating within. Member Kimball said that this would basically substitute the Managing Director position and that they would continue to occupy that space and work with the Mayor closely. Committee Member Dennis "Fresh" Onishi mentioned that this idea works in areas with smaller populations. Member Onishi also brought up concerns about having only four members of the County Council and the Mayor appointing this individual. Member Kimball mentioned that there are a variety of sizes and organizations of counties across the nation and that 57 percent have a commission only model, with no elected chief executive officer, and 27 percent have a county manager, and only 17 percent have the model that we have. Member Kimball also clarified that the four members that would participate in selecting and interviewing the County Manager, similar to how our County Auditor is selected, but that the entire Council would vote to appoint this GOEAC Report No. 134 GOEAC-134 Page 2 May 19, 2026 individual. She added that this legislation won't take effect until a new Mayor is elected, therefore it won't be impacting the current administration. Committee Member Ashley L. Kierkiewicz said that she wanted to see an organizational chart about what levels the Mayor and County Manager would be at and what the chain of command would be in this scheme. She asked questions about budget and protocol on who gets what role within that process, especially if there were a difference of opinion. She stated that she thinks it may be a bit rushed to put on the ballot this year and asked what outreach to community may have already been done. Member Kimball shared an organizational chart to help clarify the roles, and discussed some different scenarios on how things could play out. She said that the language in her bill are in alignment with our current budget and also include an intention that the Mayor and County Manager work together to develop the budget. She agreed that this changes the role of the Mayor in a significant way, and that it is more than just a "pretty face" but can help set overall vision and also take some of the pressure and administrative function from that one individual. Member Kimball said that she has done lots of outreach within her own community on this idea, but would want to do similar outreach around the County on this to help refine the idea and answer questions. Committee Member Michelle M. Galimba said that she has heard feedback from members in her community who have lived in counties where this was the norm and want a similar model here. She added that it is important not to take our structures for granted and be motivated to figure out better systems of how to do things. She said that our current systems do not incentivize long-term decision making and planning, but rather short-term solutions. Member Galimba mused that this probably wouldn't pass the electorate this year, and she wasn't certain that this is the best way to address the structure issues that exist in our current systems, but that it was a good place to start the conversation. Committee Member Matt Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder asked about each agency being operated by someone chosen by the County Manager and if that means they are hiring the department heads. Member Kimball said "yes," and the department heads who are not mentioned within the legislation would continue to be appointed by the Mayor. Member Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder brought up concerns that the four Council Members and the Mayor appointing a person that they can work with at that point in time and then years later it may cause some issues with future Council Members or Mayors not being aligned with the County Manager. He also brought up the fact that our current Mayor isn't in favor of this legislation and would veto it, Member Kaneali`i- Kleinfelder inquired if they could still make the deadline to get it on the ballot. Member Kimball explained that they would just barely make it for the deadlines for the ballot, and it may require a special meeting to override a veto if one were to occur. County Clerk Jon Henricks said that their deadline to transmit the language to the state for the ballot amendments is around August 20th, therefore creating a deadline for the Council to get any Charter amendments finalized by July 30th to get their proposals through. Committee Member Holeka Goro Inaba questioned having the Mayor represent both themselves and the Council in external affairs. He said his preference is to have the Council represent themselves. Member Inaba said that he doesn't believe it doesn't give enough of an idea of what GOEAC Report No. 134 GOEAC-134 Page 3 May 19, 2026 happens if there is a vacancy. He also said that he isn't sure he agrees with the language on qualifications that it might exclude some candidates who might be qualified. Member Kimball said that she is willing to consider alternative language on the qualifications and agrees that it might be wise to broaden it. She added that the Mayor currently has the ability to speak on behalf of the County. Member Onishi discussed the history of term limits and how term -limits restrict the ability of Council Members to see long-term projects through and suggested changing that as an alternative. Member Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder brought up a scenario in which the County Manager might have too much power. Member Kimball explained the checks and balances that were included in this legislation for a solution in which both the Mayor and/or Council Members could initiate the removal of a County Manager. Committee Member Rebecca Villegas said in this case she would trust the electorate in deciding on this change in structure and appreciated that it would be a Charter amendment question. Member Hustace asked some questions around the policy development side of this measure and how this new position may impact that. Member Kimball said that policy direction would still be determined by the County Council and would not be shifting over to the Mayor. Additionally, she shared that conflict is a natural part of government and that this shift would move some of the administrative and fiscal burden to the County Manager so that the differences in policy decision making can still occur between the Mayor and Council Members. Member Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder asked if this would create new positions. Member Kimball said that it was not creating a new position, it was replacing the role of Managing Director. Committee Chair Jenn Kagiwada encouraged other members to experience and learn more about how other counties establish their structures and systems. She agreed that the timing is rushed and asked the maker how she wanted to proceed. Member Kimball requested that they vote on it today. Your Committee on Governmental Operations and External Affairs is in accord with the purpose and intent of Bill No. 158, and recommends its passage on first reading. sim AYES NOES ABS EX GALIMBA X IIUSTACE X INABA X KAGIWADA X KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER X KIERKIEWICZ X KIMBALL X ONISHI X VILLEGAS X Respectfully submitted, • • • OPERATIONS AFFAIRSEXTERNAL ��� l� JENN . D. CHAIR REPORTGOEAC ADOPTED: