HomeMy WebLinkAboutREP HSEDC 003 04/17/2007 2006-2008 REPORT OF THE
COMMITTEE ON HUMAN SERVICES AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
DATE: April 17, 2007 RE: Comm. No. 157/157.4
PLACE: Ben Franklin Building
333 Kilauea Avenue
Hilo, Hawaii 96720
TIME: 3:40 p.m.
The Committee on Human Services and Economic Development, to which was referred
Communication 157 reports as follows:
Applications from Non-profit Organizations for County Grant Funding for Fiscal Yeaz
2007-2008, from Finance Director William Takaba, dated February 5, 2007, submitting
the qualifying applications from non-profit organizations pursuant to Chapter 2, Article
25, Hawaii County Code, for the Council's review and appropriation of funds for
inclusion in the Operating Budget for Fiscal Year 2007-2008. Thirty-six (36)
organizations have submitted applications for 57 programs, totaling $1,778,800. Attached
is a list of organizations, the programs titles, and amount requested including three (3)
that were ruled ineligible.
The Council Members voted unanimously to close file on Communication 157.
The Adhoc Committee consisted of four members of the County Council; Stacy Higa,
Donald Ikeda, Vice-Chair Angel Pilago and Emily Naeole, Chair of the Human Services
and Economic Development Committee. The committee conducted four site
visits/interviews, two days (2) at West Hawaii, March 15~h and 16~h, and two days (2) at
East Hawaii, Mazch 22"d and 23rd.
After the completion of the site visits and interviews, the Committee came forth with the
recommendations to fund, fifty four (54) programs totaling $1,500,000. Communication
157.4, dated April 17, 2007, from HSEDC Chair Naeole, confirms that the adhoc
committee's decision is to increase the County Grant Budget by $600,000 to cover the
new applicants.
Council Member Bob Jacobson, troubled that the committee did not stay within the
$900,000 budget, stated the additional $600,000 needs concurrence of the entire Council.
He believes the State Legislator and the Governor should fund these types of programs
and has fallen behind on their obligations for the community.
Council Member Brenda Ford concurred with Mr. Jacobson and further stated that an
amendment to the current budget is needed in order to fund the additional $600,000, and
will support Mr. Ikeda forthcoming amendment to increase the County Grant Budget.
Council Member Dominic Yagong valued everyone comments and realize that there has
been no increases for many yeazs to the budget. He stated that this appropriation of
$900,000 is by law, and supports the increase of $600,000.
Council Member Donald Ikeda will propose an amendment to increase the County Grant
Budget by $600,000 after May 15`". He has informed the administration of his intent and
needs at least six votes from this Council. The County Grant Budget has not changed
over a fourteen year period and at present the $900,000 is not enough to fund the
organizations that service in our communities. Mr. Ikeda is anticipating to get the
additional funds from the "Rainy Day Fund".
Council Member Angel Pilago explains that the increase for funding is a social
responsibility and human dynaznics as the populations has grown. The additional
$600,000 is a good investment to stabilize our service providers that directly serve our
people.
Council Chair Pete Hoffmann supports his colleagues' efforts and asked if there is a
mechanism that could track these organizations and find out how they have spent these
funds, possibly every six months.
Council Member Angel Pilago commented that the adhoc committee has asked all service
providers to give a quarterly, biannual report on how they aze progressing and where they
had spent the funds.
Council Member Emily Naeole explained that after the personal interviews she was
especially touched by the Boys & Girls Club who provides a safe place after-school.
Your Committee on Human Services and Economic Development is in accord with the
purpose and intent of Communication 157.4, and recommends the funding
recommendations set forth therein be included in Bi1160, Draft 2, the Operating Budget
for FY 2007-2008.
AYES NOES A&E EX Respectfully submitted,
FORD X
RIGA x COMMITTEE ON HUMAN SERVICES
HOFFMANN x AND ECONOMIC D~EVEL~OPMENT
IKEDA x ' ~ _ O
JACOBSON X f ~j"~~
NAEOLE x EMILY EOLE, CHAIR
PILAGO x
YAGONG x HSEDC REPOMAYN ~
YOSHIMOTO X ADOPTED: