HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0521.003 2002-2004
Testimony by Fire Commissioner Bowles before the Finance Committee of the Hawaii
County Council on 3/11/04 regazding the Fire Department budget for 2004-2005 FY.
Council Members, Staff and Attendees,
I am here to testify in support of the Fire Department budget as submitted by the
Administration.
As you are aware, Fire Chief Oliveira and his staff have prepazed a long range strategic
plan for the department to improve services and bring the manpower up to national
standards. We believe that public safety is the first priority of the County government.
The Fire Commission endorsed the plan and supports the plan without reservation.
Each of you has had the opportunity to discuss, with your Fire Commission member, the
manpower shortages we face around the County.
To address the financial matters in support of the Strategic Plan, The Commission
prepared a revenue review in support of the Plan and concluded that, of the 2004-2005
budget of $25,286,013, about 39% is funded by the EMS contract with about 60 % from
Real Property Tax and 1% from grants of various kinds.
Funding for the budget for 2004-2005 consists of about 12.36% of the total Real
Property tax revenue. It is the position of the Fire Commission that a long term average
of 11.5% of RPT revenue can maintain the efforts of the Strategic Plan. For FY 2003-
2004, the Department budget was funded at about 10.43% of RPT revenue leaving the
Strategic Plan deficient.
The Fire Commission strongly urges the Council to support the Fire Department budget
as submitted.
Mahalo for your support ey
Covgty Camd~
The Hawaii County Fire Commission P/ .SP FC
Comm. No. SZ~•3
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