COM 1039.005 2006-2008 - Laserfiche WebLink

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YY Oi Harry Kim Dixie Kaetsu Mayor Managing Director Barbara J. Kossow ••>i' Ni.'M Deputy Managing Director HAWAII COUNTY FIRE COMMISSION 891 Mulani street, Hilo, Hawai'i 96720 Phone: 961-8317; Fax: 933-1521 Email: Firecomm-agenda(a)co.hawaii.hi.us April 1, 2008 Testimony for the Finance Committee, Hawaii County Council By Stephen Bowles Dear Council Members, The Hawaii County Fire Commission has a duty to comment on the Fire Department Budget to the Council. As the Chair of the HFC Budget committee, I am offering the following comments on behalf of the Commission. Attached are a set of graphs and tables, which have been updated. The information we review is based on the HFC adoption of the Strategic Plan as prepared by the Fire Chief. The Strategic Plan is in the process of being updated and will be under review at a later date The budget submitted before you for the Fire Department is the approved budget of the Administration. The HFD budget now includes the Lifeguards within the Fire Department. You will note in the table that the budget, when compared by percentage with the RPT revenue, has been going down from a peak in 2004-2006 FY. Significantly, as Budget Chair, I am looking ahead and recognizing that within 2 years or so, we may begin to see a flattening of the Real Property Tax revenue and need to plan accordingly. To that end, we recognize that the majority of that adjustment will likely be in equipment. This year and next year we will be anticipating more effort in equipment replacement to prepare for such a change. In summary, it is important to recognize the on going need for the expansion of public safety as our population grows. Thank you for the opportunity to present these comments. Kawai'i County is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer Comm. No. a b " Ref. To: frisenf Commissioners: John Bertsch, Stephen Bowles, James Browne,Ref, p91e- Mm-r gig Karen Kudlo, Wil Okabe, Henry Pomroy, Jr., Bill Rosehill