HomeMy WebLinkAboutREP HSEDC 001 03/16/1999 1998-2000 REPORT OF THE
COMMITTEE ON HUMAN SERVICES AND ECONOMIC
DEVELOPMENT
DATE: March 16, 1999 RE: C-169/ Bill No. 43
PLACE: Councilroom
TIl~~IE: 1:00 p.m.
Chair and Members
Hawai i County Council
Hilo, Hawai' i 96720
Your Committee on Human Services and Economic Development, to which was referred Bill No. 43,
reports as follows:
Bill No. 43, was transmitted by Bobby Jean Leithead-Todd per Communication No.169, dated
February 22, 1999, amends Chapter 2, Article 25 of the Hawai i County Code relating to
Appropriation of Funds to Non-Profit Agencies.
The purpose of Bill No. 43 is to maintain the County's commitment to fimding human service
providers while (1) clearly tying this funding to the County's financial heahh, by pegging the amount
to be made available at one percent (1 of real property tax revenues and (2) clarifying ambiguous
language in the code. The irrterrt of the existing law may be to set a minimum amount of $900,000,
but the following passage states, "In any event, the maximum amourrt to be made available for grants
shall not exceed one percent of real property tax." If that passage is strictly interpreted, the existing
law and the proposed bill make the same level of funding available; that is one percent (1%) of real
property tax revenues.
Your Committee heard testimonies from various non-profit agencies in opposition to Bill 43.
After lengthy discussion, Your Committee agreed to eliminate the 1% of real property tax revenue
funding phrase and retain the sum of at least $900,000 in the Code. It was feh that the County should
fund at least $900,000 to social service agencies as it has done consistently in the recent past. Such a
funding level recognizes the importance of a community who cares for its people, especially during
times of local economic strain.
Your Committee is in accord with the purpose and intent of Bill No. 43, as amended to
Draft 2, and recommends its passage on first reading.
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AYES NOES A&E EX RESPECI'PULLY SUBMHTED
TYLER COMMCrrEE ON HUMAN SERVICES &
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
JACOBSON X
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LEICHEAD-TODD
PISICCHIO 7. CURTI3 II[ CHAIR
SM1TH }LSEDC REPORT NO. 1
YAGONC x ADOPrED:APR 0 6 1999
ARAKAKI E. O. M.