HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0184.034 1996-1998
Stephen K. Yamashiro ~ Diane S. Quitiquit
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DEPARTMENT OF RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT
25 Aupuni Street, Room 219 • Hilo, Hawau 967201252 • (808) 961-6366 • Fax (808) 9351205
KONA: (80,8) 329-5226 • Fax (508) 3265663
March 24, 1997
The Honorable Aaron Chung, Chair
and Members of the Finance Committee
Hawaii County Council
25 Aupuni Street
Hilo, HI 96720
Dear Finance Chair and Members:
I hereby respectfully present for your review and consideration
the Department of Research and Development's proposed operating
budget in the amount of $1,171,294 for Fiscal Year (FY) 1997/98.
The total budget amount reflects a decrease of $95,656 as
compared to the previous year. This decrease can be explained
by noting that in FY 96/97 the County Council appropriated
additional funds to the Department of Research and Development
for Miconia & Alien Pests in the amount of $100,000. That
appropriation was considered a one-time expense and was not
budgeted in future years.
The total R&D budget amount represents .6'a of the County's
overall operating budget request for the upcoming fiscal year.
With this modest sum, we continue to make a significant impact
in spurring economic development in our major program areas.
This is accomplished with minimal manpower and an ability to
partner with representative organizations in the fields of
agriculture, tourism, economic development and energy
island-wide.
DIVERSIFIED AGRICULTURE has increased in importance as sugar has
disappeared. Since this type of agriculture is more labor
intensive than plantation agriculture, it will provide more jobs
for our people.
We continue to have good news in TOURISM with the advent of
international flights that have opened new markets. We are
optimistic that we will see additional flights this year that
will improve our visitor numbers even more. It was rewarding
that the partnership the County shared with the State, the Big
Island HVCB and the private sector proved to be so successful 'p~~ 4
with this initiative. A partnership made possible bsg(oof O J
previous years' budget support.
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Honorable Aaron Chung, Finance Committee Chair
Page 2
March 24, 1997
In the area of NEW INDUSTRY, we support the High Technology
Development Strategy that has been developed for the Big
island. We will continue to see job creation at the Natural
Energy Lab and through astronomy and other high technology
initiatives. We are proposing to update the Hawaii County
Economic Development Plan to be able to access additional grant
funding for the island. we will work with the Five Mountain
Medical Community initiative to create more jobs in the health
field. And we will continue to work with our communities in
transition such as Ka'u and Hamakua to support initiatives that
will result in jobs.
Our ENERGY program has made progress with providing energy
efficiency in new commercial buildings through the MODEL ENERGY
CODE. We are also proud of the performance contracting project
which includes a retrofit of the County Building that has just
been completed and saved the County thousands of dollars while
improving our energy efficiency. (This program is partially
funded by the State.)
Our FILM PROGRAM is another example of a partnership with the
State that has been very successful. In an average year (not
including WATERWORLD), film expenditures on the Big Island range
between $4.5 and $5.0 million. We have gained national and
international exposure through this program and have aided
employment in this industry.
Finally, our MUNICIPAL REFERENCE CENTER provides a needed
resource to the County agencies and the public through
statistical information made available. This is done through
our resource library, our monthly statistics and our yearly Data
Book.
In conclusion, I have given some of the highlights of the work
of this small, but important department. As one of our
specialists says, "We are a department on the cutting edge." We
are as flexible as permitted to adapt to the changes in our
economy and to address the accompanying needs.
Thank you for this opportunity to present the budget for the
Department of Research and Development. I will gladly answer
any questions.
Sincerely,
Diane S. Quitiquit
Director
c: Mayor Stephen Yamashiro
Council Chairman James Arakaki