HomeMy WebLinkAboutREP FC 001 2015/01/06 (2014-2016)REPORT OF THE
COMMITTEE ON FINANCE
DATE: January 6, 2015
PLACE: Council Chambers
Hilo, Hawai `i
TIME: 2:05 p.m.
Council Chair and Members
Hawaii County Council
Hilo, Hawaii 96720
Re: Comm. No. 26/13111 No. 7
Your Committee on Finance, to which was referred Bill No. 7, reports as follows:
Bill No. 7, transmitted by Finance Director Nancy Crawford, via Communication No. 26 dated
November 28, 2014, amends Ordinance No. 14-82, as amended, relating to public improvements
and financing thereof for the fiscal year July 1, 2014 to June 30, 2015.
This bill establishes the following program appropriations:
PROGRAM AMOUNT
Roadway Projects (Engineering) S1,750,000
Bridge Inspection, Repair. & Replacement 1,500,000
Program (Engineering)
Local Road Improvements (Highways) 3,250,000
TOTAL 56,500,000
Allotments from the above program appropriations shall be made to the projects as shown on
Exhibit A of the bill.
Funds for these projects shall be provided from that portion of Highway Fund designated as the
Fuel Tax Increase Account No. 3104.06, and which consists of the increase fuel tax revenues
created pursuant to Resolution No. 504-08.
Public Works Director Warren H W. Lee appeared before Your Committee to answer questions
by the members ofthe Committee. He stated that Local Roads is a road repaving program used
primarily for engineering major road improvement projects and State Transportation
Improvement Projects (STIP). He mentioned that the County provides 20 percent of the cost,
and the Federal Government, through the State Department of Transportation, provides 80
percent. Director Lee further explained that the standard breakdown is 50 percent for
engineering, 50 percent for road resurfacing, and commented that Council could approve a
different split of percentages.
FC Report No. 1
FC -1 Page 2 January 6, 2015
Council Member Onishi asked about the possibility of moving money from Bridge Inspection to
Local Road Improvements to purchase asphalt for County crews to pave local roads. Director
Lee responded that adjustments could be made, however, less bridge repair work would have to
be made or less engineering work, in order to get STIP money for the larger projects. Mr, Lee
further stated that the formula currently being used has worked well so far.
Council Member Poindexter spoke in support of this measure, expressing concerns about many
wooden bridges in District 1 having "one way in, one way out", and emphasized the importance
of repair of these bridges for the people, Civil Defense and Rescue.
Council Member Wille inquired regarding the number of crews we have, amount of work
contracted out, and amount of work done in-house, to which Director Lee responded that local
road improvement work is done by Highways Division crews, while larger projects require
contracting. Director Lee then explained that for local road improvements, the Highways
Division is responsible for maintenance of roads, flood control channels, mowing grass, keeping
site distance and other jobs, and that there are approximately 130 employees at baseyards in
South Hilo, Honoka`a, Waimea, N. Kohala, Kona, Puna and Ka'u.
Pursuant to Section 10-6(e), Hawai`i County Charter, the Council may amend the Capital Budget
for that year with a two-thirds vote.
Your Committee on Finance is in accord with the purpose and intent of Bill No. 7, and
recommends its passage on first reading.
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Respectfully submitted.
COMMITI FIF. ON FINANCE:
KAREN EOFF, CHAIR
FCREPOR"I NO.:
ADOPTED JAN 23-2615 2015—