HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 1038.001 2004-2006
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Harry Kim Dixie Kaetsu
Managing Director
Mayor
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Barbara Kossow
Deputy Managing Director
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25 Aupuni Street, Room 215 • Hilo, Hawaii 96720-4252 • (808) 961-8211 Fax (808) 961-6553
KONA: 75-5706 Kuakini Highway, Suite 103 • Kailua-Kona, Hawai'i 96740
(808) 329-5226 • Fax (808) 326-5663
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August 24, 2006
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The Honorable Stacy Higa, Chairperson, and C0'1
Members of the Hawaii County Council -'0
25 Auptmi Street
Hilo, Hawaii 96720
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Dear Chairperson Higa and Council Members:
At the Council Finance Committee review of the recent audit of recycling contracts by the
Legislative Auditor's office, it was agreed by Administration and Council that adequate
administrative and support staff must be provided to the Department of Environmental
Management so it can do its job properly. Lack of adequate staff has resulted in difficulty
executing and monitoring contracts, raising concerns about compliance and internal controls.
As stated at the Committee meeting, we pledged to work with the Department of Civil Service
and the Department of Environmental Management to identify additional staff needed for the
DEM to properly do its job.
The Department of Environmental Management has met with Civil Service and conferred
with the Department of Public Works to determine how to address the most pressing needs in
this area, and to also develop a longer term plan to provide sufficient control. The immediate
staffing needs that have been identified are in Administration and in the Solid Waste Division.
Administration
• Business Services Manager: This position will report directly to the Director and
Deputy and will oversee all contracts, procurements, billing and accounts receivable,
staffing, office policies, and personnel actions. This position is one that other large
departments have.
• Contracts Technician: This position will report to the Business Services Manager and
carries the specific tasks of timely and accurate processing of all contracts for the
Department. Since approximately 50% of the Department's expenses are contracted
services, this is a critical need.
• Clerk III: This position will report to and work hand in hand with the Contracts
Technician. q
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Hawaii County is an equal opportunity provider and employer.
August 24, 2006
The Honorable Stacy Higa and Council Members
Page 2
Solid Waste Division
• Administrative Services Assistant: This position will report directly to the Division
Chief and will provide clerical help for the Chief, the Recycling Section, the
Operations Supervisor, and the Engineer III. The Division has relied on student
workers for this help in the past. This was a short-term economical approach, but not
necessarily the best for the continued operations of the Division.
The Finance Department has submitted the paperwork and resolutions to create the four
positions identified above. Your support of this request is greatly appreciated.
Other
The Department also has pressing needs in other areas, and research continues to identify
exactly the positions and the skills that will best address already identified deficiencies.
Especially noted is ongoing work within the Technical Services Section that is not addressed
as quickly as needed. We will return to Council as necessary to address these other areas.
Thank you for your support of the request for these four positions.
Al ,
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MAYOR
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