HomeMy WebLinkAboutREP FC 154 2014/04/15 (2012-2014) REPORT OF THE
COMMITTEE ON FINANCE
DATE: April 15, 2014 Re: Comm. No. 600/Bill No. 181
PLACE: Council Chambers
Kona, Hawaii
TIME: 1:39 p.m.
Council Chair and Members
Hawaii County Council
Hilo, Hawaii 96720
Your Committee on Finance, to which was referred Bill No. 181, reports as follows:
Bill No. 181, transmitted by Mayor William P. Kenoi, via Communication No. 600 dated
December 9, 2013, amends Chapter 2, Article 15, of the Hawaii County Code 1983 (2005 edition, as
amended), relating to the Code of Ethics.
Bill No. 181 prohibits County officers and employees, or businesses in which a County officer or
employee or the officer or employee's spouses or dependent children own a controlling interest, from
contracting for goods and services with any County agency; prohibits any elected or appointed officer or
employee from appearing on behalf of any private interests before any County agency except as
specifically provided for by law; and redefines the use of the term "agency."
On January 7, 2014, Your Committee postponed the measure to the call of the Chair.
During the January 7, 2014 meeting, several members expressed their concerns with the bill. They also
requested that Council Member Poindexter coordinate with administration and Corporation Counsel to
have them available for questions at the next meeting and research the conflict of interest policy
regarding special duty.
Council Member Kern spoke in support of the bill and stated that it will help lessen the appearance of
impropriety within the County; however, he also stated that it may affect the cost of things.
On February 18, 2014, Your Committee postponed the measure to the next Finance Committee meeting
to be held on March 18, 2014.
Council Member Kern and Council Member Wille suggested amendments and recommended they
should be included in Bill No. 181; however, no formal proposed amendments were introduced.
On March 18, 2014, Your Committee postponed the measure to the next Finance Committee meeting to
be held on March 31, 2014 due to the Lono Kona public hearing.
FC Report No. 154
FC-154 Page 2 April 15, 2014
Mr. Kevin Dayton, Executive Assistant to the Mayor, appeared before Your Committee for questions.
He clarified that this bill was brought forth by the Mayor to boost the public's confidence in the
County's governmental system and diminish any perception issues.
Several Council Members have the impression that the bill will cost the taxpayers more money and will
not support the Big Island's local businesses. Furthermore, they expressed that the sealed bid process
that the County currently uses shows no evidence that there are any problems.
Your Committee on Finance is not in accord with the purpose and intent of Bill No. 181, and forwards it
to Council with a negative recommendation.
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AYES NOES ABS Ex Respectfully submitted,
EOFF X
FORD x COMMITTEE ON FINANCE
ILAGAN X
KANUHA X
KERN X
ONISHI _ X
POINDEXTER _ X VALERIE T. POINDEXTER, CHAIR
WILLE X FC REPORT NO.: 154
YOSHIMOTO X ADOPTED: MAY 0 1 2014
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