HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0193.019 2008-2010
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Murashige, Laura
From: Star Elizabeth [starshine_1@msn.com]
Sent: Saturday, March 14, 2009 11:38 PM ,
To: counciltestimony@co.hawaii.hi.us 2009 (1Pfl 16 A(1 11 ly
Subject: Fw: Mayor to suspend 2% for the Land Fund- first hearing - Mardhiv,bt Coun l
Attachments: Mayor to Council 2009-2010 Budget.doc 00N T~,
Do NOT betray 57% of Voters who voted in 2006 to
SAVE HAWAII ISLAND'S GREAT PLACES FOREVER
SAVE OUR TREASURED LANDS FROM DEVELOPMENT.
DO NOT SUSPEND Deposits to THE 2% FOR THE LAND FUND
CUT the budget in other places!!
This is a betrayal of voter's trust by our elected officials!
Our elected officials represent us!
This is a betrayal of :
* hundreds of volunteers who collected 9,782 signatures on
the Initiative petitions to get the question on the 2006 ballot (at
5 minutes per signature that is over 800 volunteer hours); I was
one of these petitioners and found it easy to get signatures.
* 57% of voters who voted for this measure at the polls in
November of 2006;
* the time and accomplishments of the Open Space
Commissioners and staff who have met with the communities
island-wide, designed a priority system and provided 3 reports
to the Mayor (http://www.hawaii-
county.com/finance/ponc.htm).
BUDGET ALTERNATIVES:
The Mayor states in a letter addressed to the Council regarding
the budget, dated February 27, 2009:
"I imposed a temporary hiring suspension at the beginning of
my administration and we are currently holding 481 positions
vacant. This budget eliminates funding for 42 of those
positions." The letter continues: " To achieve this balanced
budget, which is $16,925,488. less than the current year's
Comm. No. 19 3.
Ref. To.
t~L
3/16/2009 Ref. Date VAR 17 2009
Page 2 of 2
budget... "
The current budget deficit is $31 million. Here are two ideas to
cut the budget:
Budget cutting idea #1- There are 439 positions that still have
funding for salaries that are included in the budget. I would
assume with so many construction workers unemployed, that
the lower paying labor jobs are filled and that the unfilled jobs
are the more skilled positions. If the average salary of a skilled
county employee is $40,000 and you eliminate the 439 unfilled
positions from the budget. This would remove at least
$17,560,000. in salaries from expenditures (plus benefits and
retirements programs). That's $17.6 million dollars! That would
erase more than half of the $31 million deficit.
Budget cutting idea #2: There are more than 2,400 county
employees in Hawaii County. In the Mayor's spirit of "share the
sacrifice" those with government jobs could consider taking one
day off per month to spend with their families without pay. How
much money would be saved if each county employee took one
unpaid day off per month? Do you really have all the information
you need to make these very important decisions for our island?
Please VOTE NO AGAINST BETRAYING 57% OF VOTERS WHO
VOTED TO SET ASIDE 2% OF OUR PROPERTY TAXES TO ACQUIRE
OPEN SPACE.
Stay the course! Be bold and buy land while we have a chance
with 30% property value reduction. These funds are to buy land
so that our island is not over developed like Maui or Oahu.
Mahalo for your caring for the land and respect for voters
rights!
Mahalo Nui Loa, Elizabeth Star District 8
3/16/2009