HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0711.135 2008-2010Honorable County Council Members
My name is Libby Kelson- Fulcher and I am speaking on behalf of keeping funded
the County Bands of Hawaii and am here today specifically on behalf of the West
Hawaii County Band of which I'm a member and have been since 2003. Myself
and the other 10 hired county musicians and a few volunteers rehearse weekly,
perform about 24 community events annually, made up of concerts and parades
throughout West Hawaii, from Kona through Waikoloa, Waimea to N. Kohala,
Honoka'a and south to Oceanview and Na'alehu. The bands have been in
operation for so many years and are an integral part of Hawaii's Big Island
community life. It is impossible to imagine this island without its bands.
When there is an economic crisis, it seems that the first areas to be eliminated
are arts and culture both of which define a society, its quality, level and maturity
and the breadth to which it is supported. Arts and culture are essential to the
morale and upliftment of our society, especially during difficult times. How can we
have a 4th of July parade or a King Kamehameha Day Parade without a band?
Or the International Billfish Tournament bringing competitors to our shores from
around the world, and the Kona Coffee Festival that represents Kona without
Hawaiian music and Hawaiian culture? The Billfish Tournament's special Awards
Ceremony is a unique and moving ceremony of honor, honoring the countries
and their flags with our playing their individual national anthem.
The ceremonies honoring our military, the Boy Scouts, our every day and
cherished members of our community and those in lifecare facilities. We, West
Hawaii County Band make up the Palace Band, performing 5 concerts in Hulihe'e
Palace celebrating our Hawaiian Royalty. These events are now part of a larger
Kokua Kailua Village Stroll which is drawing hundreds more people each time.
There must be more effective ways of saving money.
The West Hawaii County Band's actual total budget in 2006/2007 was
$25,432.68, in 2007/2008 it was $25,095.38. In 2008/2009 it went down even
further to $17,766.92. I have attached the,breakdown of those figures for both
bands, taken from the County website fiscal budgets. The estimated budget for
2009/10 is $37,166.00. Why it's greater than it's ever been I don't know. Our
band has been without an official hired conductor since October 2008 although a
perfectly qualified and experienced candidate, in fact a previous conductor of
ours, had been approved by the County in November 2008 as being eligible for
hire and was promised this position. But it never happened, although budgeted
for. And we have been limited to 11 hired musicians as opposed to 19 already
pre- budgeted. So where is that money that was allocated for those musician
positions and for a Bandmaster /Director?
I sincerely ask you for the refunding of the County Bands of our Big Island.
But -with a paradigm shift. We wish there to be parity between the two island
bands. The Hawaii Country Band is allocated 92% of the Bands' budget and the
West Hawaii County Band, 8 %. Those numbers and breakdowns appear on the
aforementioned attachments I sent along with hard copies of this testimony. I ask
that the County Bands be in synch, each healthy, equally supported and at full
strength and each with its own Bandmaster equal in status and autonomous,
thus conforming to what is clearly stated in the Hawaii County Charter. The
excerpt of which is below. See Section 6 -8 -4 , l 3S
Comm. Pao.
Ref. To; f /Ccu h.c.i 1
Ref. Date ';,R 22 ?t1t11
Testimony Libby Kelson- Fulcher West Hawaii County Band
Page Two
The West Hawaii County Band has done wonders the last two years in holding
together despite the challenges both economic and others, not having an official
Bandmaster /Director, nor being at full- strength of musicians. This because of the
passion, dedication and commitment of the players both to their Band, the West
Hawaii County Band and to their Big Island community, specifically the West
Hawaii Community whom it lovingly serves
Mahalo Nui to you, our County Council members for being present and for
sincerely and seriously considering this testimony.
Respectfully,
Libby Kelson - Fulcher, D.D.
Member of the West Hawaii County Band — French Horn Section.
Excerpt From the Hawaii Countv Charter
Section 6 -8-4 in regards to County Bands.
The county bands shall be a part of the department of parks and recreation for
administrative purposes. The bandmasters shall be appointed by the mayor and
may be removed by the mayor. The members of the bands and other employees
connected therewith shall be appointed by the bandmasters and may be
removed by the bandmasters with the approval of the managing director, and all
positions in the band shall be exempt from civil service laws and classifications.
Attachments:From the County Website Fiscal Year Budgets:
(1) The Operating Budget 2009 -2010 ORD 2009 -064 2008 -2010
(2) The Operating Budget 2008 -2009 ORD 2008 -078 2006 -2008
(3) The Operating Budget 2007 -2008 ORD 2007 -082 2006 -2008
T
r-,
rri
0
C&02/09
Estimated
Expenditures
F Y 2037 -0B
Sese,EI Account Description Actual
COUNTY CF hAWM1
Fund 010 General Fund Year 2'009-10
Page 21
FY 230809 FY 200P -10 FY 2010-11 FY 2011 -12
Budget Estimate Estimate Estimule
rota/ Sr Comm Sere Employ Prog 365,66180 410,655 429,340 404,948 494,848
+ +s Dept 451 Elderly Activities 3,126,645.74 3,513,699 3,627.799 3,632,254 3632,254
5501 Hawaii County Band
5501,01 Hawaii County Band S&W 209,663.64 380,026 339,961 339,961 339,961
5601.02 !Howell County Band OCE 3,601.71 4,075 4,075 4,075 4075
5501,06 Hawaii County Band Equip 3,094.75 2,050 0 0 0
Total Hawaii County Band 216,560.10 356,151 344,036 344,036 344.036
5502 West Hawaii Band
5502.01 West Hawall Band S &W 16,254.15 75,018 37.566 37,698 37,566
5502.02 West Hawaii Band OCE 5,341.23 5,125 0 0 0
5502.06 West Hawaii Band Equip 1,500.00 0 0 0 0
rota! West Hawall Band
25,096.36 62,143
37,666 37,566 37,566
6503 P 8 k Admin
5503.01 P &R Adm SSW 908,759.52 1,061628 1,144,423 1,179,040 1,179,040
5503.02 P&R OCE 188,304.93 644.262 594,262 594,712 594,912
5503.06 P&R Adm Equip 131,607.34 7033 4.500 4,500 4,500
5503,37 P & R Misc Contributions 2,777.16 6,452 6,462 6,462 6.462
5503.39 Friends Of The Park 38,291.42 22,000 22,000 22,000 22,000
5503.40 Wildlife Habitat Incentive Pgm 6 780.76 0 0 0 0
5503.41 Kahatuu Park Ranger Pgm 35,657.20 130,000 0 0 0
5503.42 West HI Golf Program 1,015,053.34 1,100.000 500,000 530,000 500,000
5503,43 Mahukona Boat Ramp Study 0.00 275000 0 0 0
row P & R Admin 2,327,131.67 3,250,052 2,271,647 2,306,714 2,306,914
5505 Parks M2int
5505.01 Parks Man S &W 4,375,83560 6,199,109 5,000,293 5,328,523 5328,523
550502 Perks Baird OCE 2,106,735.01 2,129,690 2,293,058 2.304.527 2.315,775
5505.11 Parks MaintEduip 710,543.4e 374,000 100,000 68,000 68,000
6505.51 Parks R &M & Improvements 155,785,50 D 0 0 0
Total Parks Malnt 7,330,899.50 7,702,799 7,393.351 7,701,050 7.712,298
5507' Recreation Div
5507.01 Recreation Div S&W 1,794,547.69 1,915,799 1,910,328 1622.813 1,922,813
5507.02 Recreation Div OCE 704,155.39 631,110 686.097 660,945 686,195
5507.06 Recreation DivEquip 48,533.93 3,500 500 500 530
5507.21 Recreate Div ClasstAcdv 14,971.99 48.500 48.500 49,530 48,500
5507,27 Non- School flour Programs 37649 0 0 0 - D
Total Recreation Div 2,562.585.49 2,598,609 2645,425 2552,759 2,659,008
5509 Summerflntersesslon
5509.01 Summerfintcrsetston S&W 160,079.45 241,866 248,712 248.712 248,712
5509,02 Summedlntersession OCE 79,661.00 106,499 114,099 114,099 114,099
5509.25 Summilntrssn ClasslAohv 63,316,64 65,000 65,000 65,000 65.000
550630 Summer Food Service Fed 33,155.23 65,000 85,000 85,000 85,000
rota! Summertntarsession
335,412,32 498,365 512,811 512,811 512,811
03101/1
Estimated
Expenditures
Rase Et Account Description
5433.03 Nutrition Program • Eqpt 2,144.15 25,600 26.500 26500 26,500
5433.32 Nutrition- Congregate MIS ARRA-0C 4,275.00 0 0 0 0
5483.42 Nutrition -HOME Delivered Mls ARR 3,047.05 0 0 0 0
Total Nutrition Program 1,237,804.20 1,513,324 1,527,597 1.527,597 1,567,378
5484 Sr Comm Sent Employ Ping
5484.01 Sr Comm Svc Emp Pgm -SSW 292.850.02 364,423 395575 395,775 395,775
5484.02 Sr Comm Svc Emp Pgm.00E 9,989.3E 22,477 19,234 19,234 19,234
548453 Sr Comm Svc Emp Pgra -Eqpt 0.00 1,000 2,100 2,100 2,100
5484.21 Sr Employment Cty 58W 71.674,06 41,448 42,269 46,476 46,476
5484.31 Sr Comm Svc Emp Pgm ARRA S&Y 4.328,25 0 0 0 0
Total Sr Comm Scry Employ Prog 378,841.69 429,348 459,378 463,585 463,595
•+4 Dept 481 Elderly Activities 3,132,007.41 3,627,799 3.453,375 3,592.529 3,651,430
5501 Hawaii County Band
5501.01 Hawaii County Band SSW 219,965.29 . 339,961 0 0 0
550102 Hawaii County Band OCE 1,816.01 4,075 0 0 0
5501.05 Hawaii County Band Equip 2,816.25 0 0 0 0
Total Hawall County Band 224,597.55 344,036 0 0 0
5502 West Hawaii Band
5502.01
5502.02
West Hawaii Bond S&W
West Hawaii Band OCE
Total West Hawaii Band
Fund 010 General Fund
COUNTY OF F.AWA:I
Year 2013-11
Page 72
FY 2008.09 FY 20C9 -10 rY 2310 -11 FY TC11 -12 FY 201243
Actual Budget Estimate Estimate Estimate
16,277,26 37.566 0 0 0
1,479.66 0 0 0 0
17,756.92 37,566 0 0 D
6503 P & R Admin
5503.01 P &R 5 &W 1532,297.38 1,144,423 978,808 1.076,800 1,076800
5503.02 P &R Adm OCE 104,864.19 594.262 560,225 559.475 564.375
6503.06 PBR Adm Equip 8,644.72 4,500 3,000 3,000 4,500
5503.37 P 8 R Misc Contributions 0.00 6.462 12,572 15,000 15.000
5503.39 Friends Of The Park 11,053,10 22.000 20,000 20,000 20,000
5503.42 West HI Golf Program 1,028,333.31 500.000 500,000 500,000 500,000
5503.43 Mahukona Boat Ramp Study 278,000.00 0 0 0 0
Total , P & R Admln 2.463.192.70 2271.647 2.074.685 2.174,275 2.180.615
5505 Parks Maint
5505.01 Parks Malnt S &W 4,766.886.52 5,000.293 4874.541 4,945,661 4514,661
5 5905.02 Parks Maint OCE 2,162,972.37 2,253,058 2,218,220 2,267,420 2.309,570
5505.11 Parks Maint Equip 427,585.62 100,000 5,000 77,000 77,500
5505,51 Parka R&M S Improvements 3,955.50 0 0 0 0
Tom/ Parks Maint 7,361,403.01 7,393.351 7,098,061 7,290.081 7. 301,731
5507 Recreation Div
5507.01 Recreation Div SSW 1,902,160.41 1910,328 1,599,296 1,760576 1,760,276
5507,02 Recreation Div OCE 665,427.48 666.097 677550 731.650 772,900
5507.06 Recreation Div Equip 35762.15 500 100 500 500
5507.21 Rocreatn Div Ciass(Activ 21.883.53 48,500 48.500 48,500 48,500
05/05/05
Base -El
5451.01 RSVP -SSW
545102 RS VP- OCE
5452.03 RSVP- Equip
5483.01
5483.02
5483.03
5483.15
5501.01
5501.02
5501.06
5502.01
5502.02
5502.06
5503.01
5503.02
5503.06
5503.37
5503.39
5503.41
5503.42
5503.43
Estim a ledekund 010 General Fund
Expenditures
Account Description
Total RSVP
5453 Nutrition Program
Nutrition Program - SAW
Nutrition Program - OCE
Nutrition Program - Eqpt
Healthy AgJng Partnership
Total Nutrition Program
6484 Sr Comm San Ern play Prog
5484.01 Sr Comm Svc Emp PgmS &W
5484.02 Sr Comm Svc Emp Pgm43CE
5484.03 Sr Comm Svc Emp Pem•Egpt
5484.21 Sr Employment Cty SAW
Total Sr Comm Scry Employ Prog 350,766.74
.14-1- Dept 451 Elderly Activities 3,020,935.67
5501 Hawaii County Band
Hawaii County Band SSW
Hawaii County Band OCE
Hawafl County Band Equip
Total Hawaii County Band
5502 West Hawaii Band
West Hawaii Band SAW
West Hawaii Stand OCE
West Hawaii Band Equip
Total Wast Hawaii Band
6503 P a R Attila
P &R Adm SAW
PAR Adm OCE
P &R Adm Equip
P & R Mlsc Contributions
Friends Of The Park
Kahaluu Park Ranger Pgm
West HI Golf Program
Mahukona Boat Ramp Study
Total P & R Admin
5505 Parks Maint
5505.01 Parks 6laint SAW
5505,02 Parka Maint OCE
6605.11 Parks Maint Equip
FY 2006.07
Actual
200,426.80
102.804,71
1,295.75
304,527.32 317,590 351,796 356,610 366,610
633,303.92
670,586.16
95,215.45
0.00
1,299,705.53
341,116.35
8,553.39
1,097.00
0.00
208,003.23
4,442.48
0.00
20,04295
5.389,73
0.00
765,667.18
95,312.80
43,015.40
0.00
33,898.82
0.00
748,000.00
0.00
3.817,35137
1,934,780.97
535,165.43
FY 2007.08
Budget
204,436
113,104
50
558,363
801,460
23,00D
60,000
264,438
26,329
790
129,405
348,850
4,075
2,050
72,104
4,625
1,500
970,881
106,828
7,500
10,000
22,000
130,000
1.000,000
0
4.688,614
1,940,066
326,622
• COUNTY OF HAWAII
Year 2008-09
FY 2009 -09 FY 2009.10 FY 2010.11
Estimate Estimate EESmale
224,892
126,854
50
603,313
782,660
21,200
0
225,820
128,290
1,500
607,788
792,660
21.200
0
1,462,023 1,417,172 1,421,648 1,421,648
307,385
15,688
790
94,792
307,385
15,688
790
96,948
428962 418,655 420,811 420.811
3.423,477 3,513,699 3,477,053 3,478,053
330,025
4,075
2,050
380,581
5,200
2,050
76,018 76,018
6,125 6,125
0 0
1,061,828 1,068,448
644,262 142,952
7,500 7,500
6,462 0,462
22,000 22,000
130,000 130,000
1,100,000 1,100,000
278,000 0
1,686,694.20 2,247,209 3,250,052 2,477,372
5,199,109 5,110,999
2,129,690 2,137,690
374,000 314,000
Page 20
225,820
129,290
1,500
607,788
792,660
21,200
0
307,385
18,688
790
66,948
380,581
5,200
2,050
212,445.71 354,975 388,151 387,831 387,831
76,018
6,125
0
25,432.08 78,229 82,143 62,143 82,143
1,065,046
142.962
7,50D
6,462
22.000
130,000
1,100,000
0
2,477,972
5,310,999
2.137,290
314,900
rota/ Parks Maint 6,287,298.77 6,955,304 7,702,759 7,762,689 7 782 659