HomeMy WebLinkAboutREP PC 120 06/15/1998 1996-1998
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REPORT OF THE
COMMITTEE ON PLANNING
DATE: June 2, 1998 Re: C-863Bi11 No. 254
PLACE: Councilroom
TIME: 1:37 p.m.
Chair and Members
Hawaii County Council
Hilo, Hawaii 96720
Your Committee on Planning, to which was referred Bill No. 254, transmitted by Council
Member Joe Reynolds per Communication No. 863, dated May 20, 1998, relating to the Powers
of the County, reports as follows:
Bill No. 254 amends the Hawaii County Charter (1991) relating to the powers of the County by
adding a new section to read as follows:
Section 2-3. Political Subdivisions. Whenever permitted by State law, the council by
Ordinance may create political entities within the County, assign them such powers and
duties as aze appropriate and demarcate the geographical boundaries of such entities.
Mr. Reynolds explained that because Hawaii County is so large, the West Hawaii residents aze
not fully represented in government. Because of this reason, he would like this charter
amendment placed on the ballot to let the people determine if there should be other political
entities on this island. He compared our County to the mainland towns, where people aze well
represented because of the smaller political subdivisions.
A committee member stated that we should not be heightening the public's expectations at this
point, because it is the State Legislature that creates the political subdivisions and not the
counties. It was also mentioned that a bill of this nature was proposed in the State Legislature,
but for unknown reasons, the Legislators did not pursue this matter.
Another committee member mentioned that if there are more political subdivisions, there will be
more representatives, and it will take longer to render decisions on issues. Therefore, he feels that
we should have less government instead of more.
A motion asking Your Committee on Planning to approve Bill 254 failed by the vote reflected
below. Your Committee recommends that Bi11254 be filed.
AYES NOES A&E EX
LEITHEAD-TODD RespeCtflllly SLLbmltted,
TYLER x COMMITT ON P ING
CHUNG
REYNOLDS J(
sANTANGELO x B JEAN LEITHEAD-TODD, CHAIR
SMITH
vACONC x PC REPORT NO. 120
ARAxAK~E.o.M. x ADOPTED: lUly ~a _