HomeMy WebLinkAboutREP GRC 017 06/18/2012 2010-2012 REPORT OF THE
COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENTAL RELATIONS
DATE: June 18, 2012 Re: Comm. No. 736/Res. No. 264-12
PLACE: West Hawai`i Civic Center
Kailua-Kona, Hawai`i
TIME: 11:28 a.m.
Council Chair and Members
Hawai`i County Council
Hilo, Hawaii 96720
Your Committee on Governmental Relations, to which was referred Resolution No. 264-12, reports as
follows:
Resolution No. 264-12, transmitted by Council Member Brittany Smart, via Communication 736, dated
May 30, 2012, authorizes the Chair of the County Council to take all necessary action to enroll the
County into the National Association of Counties (NACo) Prescription Discount Card Marketing Fee
Reimbursement Program.
NACo is offering a new marketing fee reimbursement option for the Prescription Discount Card
Program and states that Hawaii County would receive a one dollar fee per prescription each time the
prescription discount card is used. This option would not increase costs for the user of the card nor incur
any costs to Hawaii County.
Resolution No. 264-12 further states that the Finance Department work with the Office of Aging to
direct all income from this marketing fee program to the Office of Aging's account.
Communication 736.1, from Council Member Brittany Smart, dated May 31, 2012, transmits additional
information regarding enrolling the County into the NACo Marketing Fee Reimbursement Program.
Ms. Smart stated that Hawaii County would have earned about $8,000 or $9,000 if we better publicize
this program, and explained that the money would be directed to the Office of Aging as it has a program
to dispense medication pill containers and that many of the seniors are prescription card holders. This
extra money could supplement some of their programs, rather than going into the General Fund.
Mr. Hoffmann questioned why we have to enroll again, when we are already are a participant in the
prescription drug program. Ms. Smart explained that this is a supplemental contract that would give us
the monetary reimbursement.
Ms. Ford stated she would support the resolution and she liked the fact that the money would go to the
Office of Aging; and would like to see a separate line item for the money. She suggested an amendment
to the first be it further resolved clause to read "that the Finance Department work with the Office of
Aging to direct all income from this marketing fee program to the Office of Aging's program account as
a separate line item."
GRC Report No. 17
GRC-17 Page 2 June 18, 2012
Ms. Smart said that she would continue discussions with the Finance Department off-line, but that if
Ms. Ford wanted to put that amendment forward, she would support it. Ms. Ford said she would bring
the amendment forward.
Chair Pilago reminded the Committee that Communication 736.1 states that the Chair of the County
Council is the one that institutes the contract with NACo.
Ms. Ford wanted reassurance that there would be no additional charge to the person buying a
prescription or to the County to get this reimbursement. Ms. Smart said that was true, but is seeking
clarification.
Your Committee on Governmental Relations is in accord with the purpose and intent of
Resolution No. 263-12, and recommends its adoption.
ke
AYES NOES A&E EX Respectfully submitted,
BLAS X
FORD X COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENTAL
HOFFMANN X RELATIONS
IKEDA X
ONISHI X
PILAGO X
SMART X K. A GO PILAGO, CH I'
YAGONG X GRC REPORT +'.. 17
YOSHIMOTO X ADOPTED: JUL 0 3 202