HomeMy WebLinkAboutREP FC 035 03/15/2011 2010-2012 REPORT OF THE
COMMITTEE ON FINANCE
DATE: March 15, 2011 Re: Comm. No. 123/Bill 31
PLACE: Council Chambers
West Hawai`i Civic Center
TIME: 2:05 p.m.
Council Chair and Members
Hawaii County Council
Hilo, Hawaii 96720
Your Committee on Finance, to which was referred Bill 31, reports as follows:
Bill 31, transmitted by Finance Director Nancy Crawford via Communication 123 dated March 1, 2011
repeals Chapter 2, article 16, section 2 -96 from the Hawaii County Code 1983 (2005 Edition, as
amended), relating to Meal Allowance for Nonovernight travel.
This bill would delete Section 2 -96 of the County Code and eliminate the out -of- district meal allowance
and take effect on July 1, 2011. Currently, employees who travel beyond the district adjacent to their
usual place of work and have working hours that extend across normal meal times are provided an
allowance for the purchase of a meal. The distinction between working within one district or another, and
its impact on the ability to acquire a meal, is less significant that it was at the time this provision was first
enacted. Modern insulated food containers and the existence of a variety of restaurant choices provide
employees with meal options similar to those within their home district. Elimination of this employee
benefit will provide cost savings of approximately $40,000 to the proposed Operating Budget for
FY 2011 -12. This should not create a great burden on the impacted employees.
Director of Finance Nancy Crawford, Deputy Director of Finance Deanna Sako, Controller Kay Oshiro
appeared before Your Committee. Ms. Sako explained that this employee benefit is covered under the
Hawai`i County Code which is subject to change by the Council and it is not part of collective bargaining.
It was brought to Ms. Crawford's attention by the Legislative Research Branch that this section also refers
to the volunteer Police personnel meal reimbursement. It was unintentional to eliminate this section and
the Finance Department will submit a separate bill to ensure that the volunteer Police personnel will
continue to receive their meal reimbursement after July 1, 2011.
Your Committee on Finance is in accord with the purpose and intent of Bill 31, and recommends it pass
first reading.
dkr
AYES NOES A &E Ex Respectfully submitted,
BLAS X
FORD x COMMITTEE ON FINANCE
HOFFMANN X
IKEDA X
ONISHI X
PILAGO X 7_-
SMART x BRENDA FORD, CHAIR
YAGONG X FC REPORT NO. 35
YOSHIMOTO X ADOPTED: MAY 0 4 2011