HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0711.239 2008-2010June 7, 2010
Budget Testimony: Ken Fujiyama, CEO Ken Direction Corporation
Hawaii County Council Meeting
No person, manager, council member, or our county administration
wants to be the "bad guy" to make cuts in any operating budget that will
affect our fellow workers and their benefits when times are tough. However,
each and every one of you as council members represent all of the people on
this island and not just a few.
We have intelligent managers and supervisors in all of our county
departments. I think it is their responsibility to make the hard decisions to
cut an additional 6% of the budget across the board in all departments, since
they know best how their departments are run. (I know they can, if given the
opportunity.) This 6 % represents the $23,000,000 budget shortfall without
raising real property taxes. (For example: 1. A 6% cut from an 8 hour work
day is only '/2 hour per day. 2. Utility costs can be cut by raising the
thermostat temperature to reduce air conditioning costs. 3. Eliminate
temporary hires that were hired during the good times. 4. Utilize temporary
layoffs with separation bonuses to offset the difference between regular
income and unemployment benefits in order to shift cash outflow from the
county to the state. You will probably be surprised at how many workers
would be interested in this option, especially younger families with children
in day care. They may end up in a better cash position by temporarily being
able to stay home with their children.)
Don't pass the buck or $23,000,000 to the people you represent. That
is the easy way out. Any manager who cannot cut 6% out of their
departmental budget should not be a manager! And let's not use the HGEA
as an excuse, please!
Private businesses have been forced to cut costs. (In my personal case,
more than 30 %.) Some have closed their doors for good. Businesses face
these tough decisions every day. Now it's time for the council to step up to
the plate. Businesses facing cutbacks and taxpayers facing reduced hours,
pay cuts, or unemployment cannot afford any more tax hikes.
For the benefit of all the taxpayers, make the hard decisions and cut the
budget by 6 %.
Coma. No. (1.23
Ref. To: Cs!
R f. a` : JUN 0 7 2010