HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0193.071 2008-2010
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Murashige, Laura
From: Friends of Puna's Future 1 [friendsofpunal@mail.com] -4-
Sent: Tuesday, April 07, 2009 12:08 AM 1009 APR 7 API 7 22
To: counciltestimony@co.hawaii.hi.us
Subject: Testimony in oppostion to Bill 49 / Finance Committee Cl-Lii
.1= HFOVAI1-
4/6/09
To: County of Hawaii Finance Committee
From: Friends of Puna's Future
Re: Testimony in opposition to Bill 49
In our review of Bill 49 and the issues surrounding it we recognize the difficulties posed by the
country's financial condition. It is tempting to point out that the problems faced both nationally and
locally are the largely work of highly educated professionals who chose to ignore simple basic things.
In seeking to acquire funds from the 2% Land Fund, the county is effectively trying to pick the low
hanging fruit and we believe the administration recognizes that there is no legal basis for this. Perhaps
this is why the proposal is to divert funds instead of attaching funds. The two year diversion of money
from the Land Fund still constitutes a taking and we do not think it would be upheld in court. We can
find no language in the law empowering the county to redirect these funds. The county is empowered to
increase the funds, not decrease the funds.
We have heard no mention of the Budget Stabilization Fund and whether or not it has been exhausted.
More importantly in our eyes we see evidence, in the County of Hawaii Legislative Auditor's Report
No. 01-08 for example, that the CoH has for years been providing substantial economic stimulus to a
small number of consultants and contractors. It would seem prudent for the county council to take note
of this report, read it and to instruct the Legislative Auditor's Office to immediately begin audits of the
several budget heavy departments. If this is already underway we thank you for the correct effort.
Lack of proper financial controls, simple business principles and management applications have cost
the Hawaii County taxpayers many millions of dollars over the years and this business as usual needs to
end now. The times call for these efforts and we would welcome news of such undertakings in the
county government before low hanging fruit such as the 2% Land Funds are considered to be picked.
Watching the State Court House cost expand from $60 million to $90+ million will cause us to check
the status on the $38 million renovation of the Aupuni Center.
Regarding Bill 49 there is no mention made of the proposed two year diversions of money being a loan
to the General Fund which would be maid to the Land Fund at some future date. So Bill 49 proposes a
taking not a borrowing. A borrowing might be questionable but a taking is not legal.
There is no language providing for accounting of the funds to be diverted over the two year period or
requiring any statement or certification that the Budget Stabilization Fund does not have funds in it that
could be used for this purpose beyond the $2 million they already are requesting from the BSF.
We believe Bill 49 to be somewhat in need of more thought and propose that the Finance Committee
Comm. No. 193-11
Ref. To: ip~(
4/7/2009 Ref. Date 7 2(IPiJ
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withdraw or postpone the bill until it can be better considered. To this end public hearings would seem
quite appropriate.
We repeat our desire to see the CoH do some actual heavy lifting on the subject of cost controls of
consultation and vendor contracts. Read the Legislative Auditor's Report# 01-08. Who has been
overseeing these contracts for the last several years?
The Finance Committee should properly direct the Finance Department to proceed immediately with the
acquisition of properties approved by the county for purchase. It is our understanding that at least three
of these parcels are currently listed for active sale. The law calls for performance of these purchases.
Purchase them.
The Kenoi administration has made public their position that tourism is the best future for our island.
The 2% Land Fund supports that goal. The Obama administration has made clear the need and intention
for government expenditures which invest in the future. The 2% Land Fund operates to that end.
Hawai'i's primary asset is it's environment. The prime properties identified for purchase and
preservation should be purchased as required by law and majority vote of the citizens.
Mahalo,
Rob Tucker, President
Friends of Puna's Future
P.O. Box 1959
Pahoa, HI 96778
808-965-1555
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4/7/2009