HomeMy WebLinkAboutREP FC 078 08/06/2013 (2012-2014) REPORT OF THE
COMMITTEE ON FINANCE
DATE: August 6, 2013 Re: Comm. No. 346/Res. No. 142-13
PLACE: Council Chambers
Hilo, Hawai`i
TIME: 9:00 a.m.
Council Chair and Members
Hawai`i County Council
Hilo, Hawai`i 96720
Your Committee on Finance, to which was referred Resolution No. 142-13, reports as follows:
Resolution No. 142-13, transmitted by Mayor William P. Kenoi, via Communication No. 346 dated
July 12, 2013, commits to funding the cost items awarded by arbitration to SHOPO Bargaining Unit 12
and employees excluded from Bargaining Unit 12 for the contract period July 1, 2011 through
June 30, 2017.
Resolution No. 142-13 authorizes the appropriation in future years of funds to cover the cost items
agreed to between the employers and the State of Hawai`i Organization of Police Officers (SHOPO).
Cost items presented are across-the-board increases, step movements, an increase of the firearm
maintenance allowance, and increases in Standard of Conduct Differential pay (SOCD).
Several Council Members spoke in support of the resolution.
Council Member Eoff noted that passing this increase in funds will help to secure our officers from
leaving the police force.
Council Member Ford spoke in support of the resolution. She expressed her sincere gratitude and
respect for police officers. She was not pleased to hear that the police officers are not taking their
portable radios home while off duty.
Council Member Wille expressed her support and recommends that community police officers attend
Neighborhood Watch meetings to show their support to the communities on the Big Island.
Council Member Onishi would like SHOPO's support to provide more signs and equipment for the
Neighborhood Watch groups. In addition, he expressed the importance of the State Transient
Accommodation Tax (TAT) and requested the support of the Council to help fight for an increase in the
forthcoming Hawai`i State Association of Counties' (HSAC) proposals to help fund the increases for
manpower on the Big Island.
SHOPO's President, Tenari Maafala, appeared before Your Committee along with SHOPO Hawai`i
Chapter Chairman Todd Pataray for questions.
FC Report No. 78
FC-78 Page 2 August 6, 2013
Mr. Maafala explained that the SOCD pay is to compensate police officers who are expected to carry
their firearms and confront danger 24 hours a day, unlike other county workers. Furthermore, he
informed the Council that the starting base pay for officers in Hawai`i starts at approximately $53,000
per year, as compared to $25,000 during 1989. He emphasized the loss of Hawai`i's well-trained police
officers to the West Coast's mass hiring a few years back, and justified that the steady increase of pay in
Hawai`i has proven to keep our officers on the Big Island.
Mr. Maafala expressed his frustration in his unsuccessful lobbying efforts to the State that police
officers are County employees who issue the mass of citations and fines that generate approximately
$4.3 million into the State coffers. The County does not get any of the money collected; however, he
did state that it could be allowed by law through a grant-in-aid process but it would not be earmarked
specifically for the police.
Deputy Finance Director Deanna Sako appeared before Your Committee for questions. She indicated
that from a financial aspect all funding sources, including the Carryover Fund, are being looked at to
fund the SHOPO increases; however, the books are not closed as of yet for Fiscal Year 2013.
Human Resources Director Ron Takahashi appeared before Your Committee and explained that
Collective Bargaining law requires the State to participate in the negotiation process as part of the
employer group, even though they do not employ police officers.
Pursuant to Section 89-11(e) and (g) of the Hawai`i Revised Statutes relating to collective bargaining
require that in the case of a"final and binding" decision by an arbitration panel, "[a]ll items requiring
any moneys for implementation shall be subject to appropriations by the appropriate legislative bodies.
Pursuant to provisions from Section 89-11, Hawai`i Revised Statutes, Union and Employer positions
were heard before an arbitration panel for BU 12, SHOPO.
Your Committee on Finance is in accord with the purpose and intent of Resolution No. 142-13, and
recommends its adoption.
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AYES NOES A&E EX Respectfully submitted,
EOFF X
FORD x COMMITTEE ON FINANCE
ILAGAN X
KANUHA X
KERN X � /7r7.--)
ONISHI X ,e<
POINDEXTER x VALERIE T. POINDEXTER, CHAIR
WILLE X FC REPORT NO.: 78
YOSHIMOTO X ADOPTED: AUG 2 1 2013