HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0140.039 2000-2002
MAY-01-01 04:40 PM HIHS 8083294618 P.01
MAWAI l ISLAND r, , ~ ,
April 24, 2041 1
Jaynes Y. Arakaki
Pax # 961-8912
Dear Mr. Arakaki:
Thank you for your supgbrt and interest in the Animal Control Contract.
As [mentioned in the previous Finance Com[nittee Meetang, the Hawaii Island kiurnan~;
Society is actively negotiating with the Dspartmenq of Finance for an appropriate
allocation of funds for Animal Control in 2001.2002. Enclosed is a budget whiclrl I ha~~e
submitted to tl~e I~epartnient of Finance for the next fiscal year. This budget is wl~.t I
Della "growth budget" and wa's our original submission to the »epartment of Finance.
There has not been a sig~'iFicant increase in the animal control budget in many years, acid
I feel that this growth budget realistically reflects the needs of animal control in Mawai~.
County. Over the years, dve have experienced major increases in fixed salary expenses
{FICA, SUfA,1"Iealth Insurance, Workers Comp insurance and T'1)I) for which the
animal control budget was never adjusted. Due to additional budget constraints, PIIKS
has also been unable to replaco the aging and increasial$iy unreliable vehicles used for
animal control. Our trus~ks are old and break down more and more often, resulting in
numerous repair bills. °Ihese v®hicles are also not fuel efl'dcient, and the very high cost o~f
fuel also results in incre~esed operating expenses every year. This year, we face a further
challenge due to Fire regulations which state that the Keaau shelter requires the
installment of a fire hydt~ant. Early estimates for this project start at around 525,000,
The growth budget also proposes the addition oftwo humane officers, one for West
l~lawaii and ors foe East Hawaii. The need f®r ~ese additional officers is a result of tl'~e
population growth I~aws•~ii County is experiencing and a higlt,Iy increased demand for
services by the public, a~ld I feel that it is imperative to add these offFacers in order to meet
the animal control and pablic safety needs of our communities.
Finally, based on the recommendation of the Legislative Auditor's report, the growth
budget also reflects a Spay TTeuter program allocation of $166,000, Research nationwide
firanly supports that an ei~ective and significantly funded spay/neuter program cart make
a tremendous in?pact on animal overpopulation problems. / 1 / ~ •
IH°ile No. ~
~tef. Tot
Ref. Date
~A~ ~ -
74-5225 Queen Kaahumanu Hwy • Kailua-Kona, HI 96740 • '1"slephone (808) 329-1175 • Fax (808) 32S~-~r.616
Keaau (808) 966-5458 • Kamuela (808) 885.4558
MAY-01-01 04:40 PM HIHS 8083294618 P. 02
The ~Iawaii Island Hurnaane Society's latest budget proposal to the Department of Finance
is what I call 4 "status qtd®" budget. It is less than the 1 anillion dollar budget fnentioned
above because it will adel no new Hmnane ®fficers, no fire hydrant and no increase in thf.
spay/neuter CAP funds, I`ltis budget is app~arfntarely ~g00,800. This is not an exact
number because we are €dctively negQtiatirrg thia figure with the Department of Finance
I strongly urge you, at the bare minimum, to Support the current status quo budget. It is a
step in the right direction.
`»ae status quo budget will fiscally maintain the existing staff, and is, at a minimut?T,
necessary for the kiawaii Islat4d hIumane Society to perform its animal control duties.
fiecause we have deplet~~ our private donations we will be unable to subsidies the
anima! control contract s.s we have in the past few years. .
I also urge you to take v4:ry serious consideration of the proposed growth budget,
particularly in regards to additional stafl~iag increases and increasing the spay/neuter C~4,I'
fund. The public is dernending more and more services to ensure public safety and
responsible pet ownership. The only proven e#yective way to reduce pet overpopulation i.c
a properly funded Spay/1leuter program. T#te reality of the animal control situation is
that animal control reelat~+d calls have significantly iascreased, the populatiaig in our
County is expanding qui~:,kly and the animal population. is growing accordingly. All of
these issues cannot be fully addressed with Daly flee status quo budget.
Ifyou have any questions, or would like more information about the importance of public
safety and animal safety in relation to the animal control contract, please do no hesitate to
give me a call.
Aloha,
Clrayson hlashida
Executive Director