HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0193.073 2006-2008 JN?'`:~P ~:SW
r Harry Kim ~ Dixie Kaetsu
(M Mayor • ~ Managing Director
s;•~: • Bazbara Kossow
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Deputy Managing Director
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891 Ululani Street • Hilo, Hawaii 96720 • (808) 96I-8211 • Fax (808) 96I-6553
KONA: 75-5706 Kuakini Highway, Suite 103 • Kailua-Kona, Hawaii 96740
(808) 329-5226 Fax (808) 326-5663
May 31, 2007
The Honorable Pete Hoffmann, Chairperson, and
Council Members
Hawaii County Council
333 Kilauea Avenue
Hilo, Hawaii 96720
Re: Bi1160 -Operating Budget for FY2007-08
Proposed Unfunding of Positions
Dear Chairperson Hoffmann and Council Members:
First of all, please let me state that there is no disagreement on the authority of the County
Council to amend the budget as proposed by the administration. While the administrative
budget proposal as presented to you was developed over many months after intense scrutiny
of the operations of the County departments, the Council's authority to propose amendments
is fully recognized and accepted.
There was mention at the May 16, 2007, Council meeting as well as in the media that the
Council is considering unfunding some positions that have been vacant for a period of time.
As stated at the Council meeting by Managing Director Dixie Kaetsu, discussion between the
County and affected departments should take place so the Council can be aware of which
positions may be in the process of being filled, or are scheduled to be filled in the near future.
She also indicated that the administration is very willing to work with the Council in this
effort.
Office of Management positions. One preliminary list of positions targeted to be unfunded
was provided to an agency head by a reporter. This list includes two positions in the Office of
Management, the Mayor's Office. Unfortunately, no communication between the Council
and my office was undertaken before these positions were included on this list. I would like
to take this opportunity to inform you about the status of these two positions, and request that
their funding remain in place.
• The Administrative Specialist position is assigned to the Kona office, and is vital to its
operation. This is the permanent position of the Deputy Managing Director, who has
the right to return to this position after her appointment ends in December of 2008.
Because we are seeking to hire a person to fill it for only a limited time until
Comm. No.
Ref. To• ""~rl
Ref. Date ~IIIN 1 2007
Hawaii County is an equal opportunity provider and employer.
May 31, 2007
The Honorable Pete Hoffmann and Council Members
Page 2
December 2008, our recruiting efforts to date have been unsuccessful. We are still
attempting to fill the position, and the paperwork is with the Depaztment of Human
Services now. Since this is such an important need for the Kona office, serving the
public and the Deputy Managing Director, we have been using a temporary hire
through Altres to provide coverage for the office until we are successful in our
recruitment efforts. The money budgeted for this position during the past year has
been used to fund the Altres person. We do hope to have this filled on a regular
temporary basis in the very near future.
• The Executive Assistant I position was vacated due to the retirement of the incumbent.
I have been taking my time reviewing what the office needs aze before filling this
position, and am now in the final process of hiring a replacement.
Other department positions. It is requested that each department affected by any proposed
unfunding of positions be provided an opportunity to provide to the Council information about
the status of those positions.
Thank you very much for the opportunity to present our position in regards to this budgeting
issue. Any additional information or further discussion that members of the Council would
need will gladly be provided by all departments. To make available personnel during your
budgetazy review process, Cabinet members were requested to be present and available to
answer questions.
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