HomeMy WebLinkAboutTaylor, Jane
Tsuneda, Kaci
From:Jane W Taylor <janewtaylor@icloud.com>
Sent:Friday, July 17, 2026 10:08 AM
To:Council Testimony
Subject:Testimony to oppose bill 165 as it stands
Subject: Oppose Bill 165 — Keep Maintenance Fund Safeguards in the County
Charter
Dear County Council Members and Deputy Director Kekai,
I am writing to oppose Bill 165 in its current form. This bill would move the
safeguards for the PONC (Public Access, Open Space, and Natural Resources)
Maintenance Fund out of the County Charter. While I understand this would make
Things easier and more flexible, I am concerned that the original purpose of the funding
Might become diluted.
This matters because the Charter can only be changed by a vote of the people, while
the county code can be changed by the Council in a matter of weeks. The funding for
the Public Access maintenance should remain dedicated to its voted purpose. I was sorry to see
That you declined to raise the amount. As more land is added, that will still need to happen.
I am asking that the following three provisions remain in the Charter:
1. Required deposits. The fund must receive deposits on a regular schedule (at
least yearly), so it is reliably funded.
2. Accounting detail. The public should have access to clear records of how the
money is spent — how much, to whom, and where, and for specifically what purpose.
3. A defined process. The Charter should outline a process that includes oversight
by the PONC Commission, along with participation from the Department of
Finance and the Council. After a broad oversight of the process remains in the charter,
the details and uses of the fund could go into the code.
I ask the Council to vote no on Bill 165 until these three provisions are included, or
unless a corresponding code amendment with this level of detail is passed first. As of
this writing, no such code legislation has been proposed. Please keep it transparent and goal focused.
In addition, as non-profits must apply for assistance with maintenance funding, is there a process in place to
Make that workable for them and you?
Thank you for your consideration.
Sincerely,
Jane Taylor district 9
Jane W. Taylor
artteachers@mac.com
808 756-5240
https://www.janewordtaylor.com
https://janewordtaylor.blogspot.com/
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