HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0396.034 1998-2000 t 01 y.,
••i}~,'
Stephen K. Yamashiro ~ . ~ Dixie Kaetsu
Ma}ror DIreCJOr
~L.~_~~._~:' _i
Frank V. Manalili
~oo P;ou 1y to 15
~OU1Ctp Of ~AYUiit`l .
DEPARTMENT OF FINANCE r Ui~l ~ C. i,-.i'~.Jl
25 Aupuni Street, Room 118 • Hilo, Hawaii 96720-02~2'
- (808)961-8234 • Fax (808)961-8248
~
November 8, 2000 t' U'
~3
1 ~
cD ~rn
To: Constance R. Kiriu ~ D O
c
Legislative Auditor om
4-
From: Dixie Kaetsu ~ `v ~
Director of Finance
Re: Special Study on Animal Control
Thank you for the opportunity to comment on the Special Study on the Status of Animal
Control in the County of Hawaii prepared by your office. These comments are rather brief
and general because of limited review time due to the emergency demands of the recent flood
disaster.
The Department of Finance agrees that the animal control provisions included in the County
Code should be reviewed and updated by the County Council. This policy guidance will
make it easier for the entity charged with enforcing animal control to perform its duties. The
creation of an advisory committee including representatives from the various stakeholders to
assist in the formulation of a new ordinance should ensure that interested parties participate in
the process.
As noted in the report, the Department of Finance initially became involved in animal control
when the Police Department was consistently late in processing monthly payments to the
contractor, causing financial difficulties to the humane society. Our involvement was limited
to receiving invoices and expeditiously processing payments. Then, in 1992, administration
of the contract with Hawaii Island Humane Society (HIHS) was officially transferred to
Finance because the Police Department wanted to wash its hands of responsibility in this area.
However, this was with the understanding that the Police Department would retain operational
involvement. The Department of Finance is not a public safety agency, nor do we have any
experience or expertise in the area of animal control or law enforcement. We believe that it
was not appropriate to assign this contract to the Department of Finance.
Therefore, I ask that the Council consider the mission and function of the Department of
Finance when it looks at the overall animal control program, and consider at this time that it
Comm. No. 3 I • Q~
File No. V
Ref. 1bs
Ref. Da*
might be advantageous to the County as a whole to transfer the entire oversight responsibility
back to the Police Depaztment. This would improve accountability because the members of
the public who have a complaint or problem would know exactly which County department to
deal with. Presently, there is no cleaz assignment of responsibility. The Police Department
receives some complaints, the Finance Department receives some complaints, and the HIHS
receivea some complaints. This fragmentation makes it very difficult to compile meaningful
statistics and understand exactly what problems there might be with the program or with
animals in the community. The finance section of the Police Department has evolved over the
years and should be capable of handling the fiscal oversight work.
We understand from the report that Corporation Counsel is presently reviewing the current
contract to determine its legality. We look forwazd to the response to that issue. If it is found
to be legal, and if the Department of Finance is to remain involved in administering the
contract, we certainly will cazefully consider the recommendations in this report as to possible
amendments to the present contract, and such other matters as aze within our control.
We look forward to working with you and the Council to help resolve the many animal
control issues existing in the County today.