HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0711.216 2008-2010REC`:- FVED
Murashige, Laura
From: Anika Glass [anika nui @gmail.com] 7010 JUN 7 BM r n
Sent: Saturday, June 05, 2010 1:06 PM GCU ^� t "LEEK
To: counciltestimony @co hawau.hi.us COUNt1 - r ; IF HAWAII
Cc: Council Member Pete Hoffmann; dyagong @co.hawaii.hi.us; bford @co.hawaii.hi.us;
kgreenwell @co.hawaii.hi.us; bkenoi @co hawaii.hi.us; jyoshimoto @co.hawau hi.us;
donishi @co.hawaii.hi.us; enaeole @co.hawaii.hi.us; genriques @co.hawaii.hi.us;
dikeda@co.hawaii.hi.us
Subject: Budget Amendments Testimony
I am sorry, I cannot possibly testify item -by -item on amendments to proposed County Budget. The new
on -line system is impossible to use.
Golf Subsidies - Cut them. This hurts businesses arid it gives East Side residents who love to come to
the West Side no where to play. But it is a luxury.
Hilo Golf Course - Don't cut so much the place falls into complete ruin, which it nearly is now.
Fire and Police - Only cut them by line item. The proposed cuts are to capital items, I THINK. Any
cuts should be line item cuts in their budget. What exactly don't you want them to buy? If there are no
line items in their budget, there is a problem with our budgeting system which needs to be fixed
immediately. If Fire and Police cannot provide line item, cut the whole thing until they do.
Cuts to other County Departments - Only cut them by line item. What service or program is being
reduced or eliminated. The Council must decide. This will be another excuse for Parks and Rec to
provide very poor service. Same for other departments. If there are no line items in their budget, there is
a problem with our budgeting system which needs to be fixed immediately. If a Department cannot
provide line item, cut the whole thing until they do.
Retirement Benefits - I am totally opposed to deferring or reducing or eliminating contributions to
employee retirement funds.
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Sales of lands - I generally am not eager to rid myself of property, especially in a down market. Plus, in
Hawaii County, the stated future use for the property can change many times and so we don't know what
will be developed on the property. It's one -time revenue for a long -term mistake.
County Band - Cut entire program. Numerous groups perform for free and low cost in our community.
Even when they have a paid director, they perform some concerts for free. The only time I have heard a
County Band was at a County inauguration and they were awful. I'm sorry someone's auntie will lose
their "job ".
Unfilled positions - Cut any unfilled positions after one year. If funding becomes required, it must be
rejustified by a future Council Bill.
Hele On - It's time to start charging a small amount for bus service, IF we have already equipped the
buses to handle money and if there is a budgeted allowance for the OVERHEAD that handling cash
requires - audit trails, bookkeeping, banking, etc.
"money raised by the county should go where it's needed, not where it's generated." - I agree. However,
Cantu. No. '7(i. 2-Re_
6/7/2010
Ref. To:
Ref. Date
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you just can't ignore the infrastructure, education, keiki recreation, and other needs of West Hawaii and
spend it on fancy make -work projects in Hilo. You can't ignore listening to us, you can't ignore all the
good points made by Council Members and Citizens from the West Side. You cannot continue your
Council arrogance and disdain. Well, you can continue those practices, but there is a price that
ultimately will be paid. We are not all rich on the West Side. We have real needs.
Property Tax Increases - Not good for people. According to multiple sources, "Hawaii County had the
highest county foreclosure rate in the state during the first quarter, with one in every 93 housing units
receiving a foreclosure filing — 1.5 times the national average and 1.7 times the state average." Kailua-
Kona has the highest foreclosure rate in the entire state. Waikoloa has the 5th highest rate in all the state.
Property tax increases are trying to get blood from a turnip.
I think there are even more cuts to be found and that the Council should be looking for them
independently and in detail. That's what I think.
Anika Glass
Waikoloa HI
808 937 2309
6/7/2010