HomeMy WebLinkAboutREP FC 104 2013/11/05 (2012-2014) REPORT OF THE
COMMITTEE ON FINANCE
DATE: November 5, 2013 Re: Comm.No. 469/Bill No. 141
PLACE: Council Chambers
Hilo, Hawai`i
TIME: 10:58 a.m.
Council Chair and Members
Hawai`i County Council
Hilo, Hawai`i 96720
Your Committee on Finance, to which was referred Bill No. 141, reports as follows:
Bill No. 141,transmitted by Council Member Valerie T. Poindexter, via Communication No. 469 dated
October 14, 2013, amends Chapter 2, Article 3, Section 2-9 of the Hawai`i County Code 1983 (2005 Edition,
as amended), relating to settlement of claims.
The bill increases the settlement amount for claims to be settled by the Office of the Corporation Counsel,
without Council authorization, from $1,500 to $5,000.
Council Member Poindexter relinquished the chair to Council Member Ilagan. She stated that by amending
Section 2-9 of the Hawai`i County Code, the office of the Corporation Counsel will be able to work more
efficiently in settling small claims and in the long run, save the tax payers money. In addition,
Ms. Poindexter pointed out that with the current limit on small claims, the costs of renting and storing
vehicles while claims are being approved through Council is burdening tax payers and delaying the process of
settlements.
Deputy Corporation Counsel Laureen Martin came before Your Committee and informed the Council that the
State of Hawaii small claims minimum is $10,000; Maui County's minimum is set at $7,500; and the City
and County of Honolulu and Kaua`i small claims minimum are set at $5,000. She stated further that by
raising the settlement limit to $5,000, Hawai`i County will be consistent with limits set by other government
entities, within the State of Hawaii.
Several council members supported Bill No. 141; however, they suggested increasing the amount of$5,000 to
$7,500 or, perhaps, $10,000. Council Member Poindexter proposed to do an amendment to increase the limit
and present it at the next Council meeting.
Your Committee on Finance is in accord with the purpose and intent of Bill No. 141, and recommends its
passage on first reading.
Sc
AYES NOES A&E EX Respectfully submitted,
EOFF X
FORD x COMMITTEE ON FINANCE
ILAGAN X
KANUHA X
KERN X ONISHI X , JcJ -
POINDEXTER x VALERIE T. POINDEXTER, CHAIR
WILLE X FC REPORT NO.: 104
YOSHIMOTO X ADOPTED: NOV 2 0 2013