HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0140.043 2000-2002
FROM: CH RIST]NA HELIKER TO: HI COUNTY COUNCIL DAVE: 5/15107- TIME: 7:42:50 AM PAGE 1 OF 1
May 14, 2001
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To: Finance Committee, Hawaii County Council
From: Christina Heliker
President, Board of Directors
Hawaii Island Humane Society
Re: Testimony Bi1138, Operating Budget for the County of Hawaii
I urge the Hawaii County Council to adequately fund the Hawaii Island Humane
Society (HIHS) for the coming fiscal year. At the bare mnumum, please support the
administration's revised budget for HIHS.
Last year we were overtaken by huge increases in employee benefits, workers
compensation insurance, and the price of fuel. Rather than cut services mid-way through
the year, we are spending $115,000 of HIHS funds to make up the shortfall. The
projected shortage would have been even larger if we had not left several staff positions
unfilled.
Our projected FY2001 expenses total $765,900. The administration's revised budget
allocates $778,000 for animal control. This will allow us to operate in the black only if
we do not fill vacant positions. If the price of gas goes to $3 per gallon, we will be
unable to respond to many of the over 8000 calls for assistance that we receive each year.
HIHS cannot subsidize the county contract again with our own funds as we have in the
last two fiscal years. The Board of Directors has a fiscal and legal responsibility to
ensure that the organization does not go bankrupt. We simply have no funds left to
donate to the contract in the coming fiscal year.
Please bear in mind that spending more money on animal control is not a matter of
"putting animals before people." As the Legislatively Auditor's report on animal Control
notes, "The control of animals in Hawaii County is a function ofpublic health and
safety. "
We are grateful to the Finance Director for working with our Executive Director to
increase the administration's original budget proposal. We hope that the County Council
will work with us in the same spirit of cooperation.
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file No.
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