COM 0804.015 2002-2004 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Ntr Of M Harry Kim - Dixie Kaetsu Mayor Managing Director 'Pet6r ~endricks Deputy Managing Director Couutp of'abnail 25 Aupuni Street, Room 215 • Hilo, Hawaii 96720-4252 • (808) 961-8211 Fax (808) 961-6553 KONA: 75-5706 Kuakini Highway, Suite 103 • Kailm-Kona, Hawai'i 96740 (808) 329-5226 • Fax (808) 326-5663 October 29, 2004 The Honorable James Y. Arakaki, Chairman, and Members of the County Council County of Hawaii 25 Aupuni Street Hilo, Hawaii 96720 Subject: Bill 350 -Partial Appropriation of Excess Fund Balance Discussion of Risk Management Program Dear Chairman Arakaki and Members of the Council: At the October 19, 2004, Finance Committee meeting, Bill 350 to appropriate a portion of the General Fund's excess fund balance was approved. In part, this bill would transfer $2.5 million to the Self Insurance Fund to cover approved and anticipated claims and judgments and to provide a reserve for future needs. At this meeting, Councilmember Tyler expressed his concern at the lack of a risk management program for the County. This administration shares Councilmember Tyler's concern, and I would like to take this opportunity to update the County Council about what has been done to address risk management, and what will be presented for your consideration in the near future. Please see the attached October 22, 2004, memorandum from Corporation Counsel Lincoln Ashida. He gives a history of what his office has been trying to do since 2000. After attempting to have the various attorneys work individually with their client departments on risk management, he realized that this approach was not resulting in aggressive and comprehensive risk management. This initial effort attempted to implement risk management with existing County personnel. After this initial effort, Mr. Ashida recommended that a comprehensive risk management program be adopted, and necessary staff created, to effectively examine County operations and make recommendations to protect County resources, including the safety of our citizens and employees. A committee was formed, including representation from Police, Fire, Parks, Public Works, Civil Service, Safety, Finance, and Corporation Counsel. This committee has been meeting monthly, and has completed its review and finalized its recommendations. On October 27, this committee met with the Mayor and made its recommendations that a risk manager position and support staff be created for the County of Hawaii. An October 26, 2004, Q Comm. Na. o ~ It. Ref. To- Presented OVASCi Reif. Ca.7- Hawaii County is an equal opportunity provider and employer.