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Home My WebLink AboutCOM 0546.000 2014-2016DANIEL K. PALEKA JR. Council District 5 — Puna Mauka TO: FROM: DATE: SUBJECT HAWAII COUNTY COUNCIL County ofHawai `i 25 Aupuni Street, Suite 1402 Hilo, Hawaii 96720 Dru Mamo Kanuha, Council Chair and Members of the Hawaii County Council ,,,VDaniel K. Paleka Jr., Council Member v October 27, 2015 Phone: (808) 961-8263 Fax: (808) 961-8912 Email: dpaleka@hawaiicounty.gov COUM CLERK COUNTY OF RA,WAI' I Time/ : _ A=EBy DdtB��0123715 2015 Western Interstate Region (WIR) Conference — Boise Idaho I am requesting 10 minutes on the next appropriate Committee agenda to report my attendance at the 2015 Western Interstate Region (WIR) Conference held on October 7, 2015 — October 9, 2015, at the Grove Hotel located in Boise, Idaho. The WIR serves as the Western Counties' advocate for public policy issues affecting the member associations of counties in 15 Western states (AK, HI, WA, OR, CA, ID, NV, AZ, MT, WY, CO, NM, UT, ND, SD). WIR is affiliated with the National Association of Counties (NACo) and is dedicated to the promotion of Western interests within NACo. These interests include, but are not limited to, public land issues (including use and conservation), economic development, and community stability. WIR is dedicated to promoting a clearer understanding of challenges facing county officials from the 15 Western states and serves as a valuable resource for exchanging information about Western county governments with NACo, the legislature, and to all county officials. The conference began with a reception on Wednesday, October 7, 2015, greeting participants and giving us the opportunity to reacquaint ourselves. On Thursday, October 8, 2015, the WIR Board of Directors meeting commenced with Introductions by President Gordon Cruickshank and the approval of July 2015 meeting minutes. His message outlined the continued dedication of WIR in the advocacy of issues affecting the western member states, such as Payment in Lieu of Taxes (PILT), Secure Rural Schools (SRS), Endangered Species and Wild Horses and Burros. Minutes approved for July meeting dealt with current issues eg. Wild horses and Burros. David Miller delivered an update and discussion that current program needs to be improved, costs were not feasible and model seemed broken. Comm. No. S-% Serving the Interests of the People of Our Island Ref. To: 7 3�=— C— _.... Hawaii County Is an Equal Opportunity Provider And Employer Ref. Date OCT 3 Q 2p15 Endangered Species Committee Chair, Joel Housman reported on congressional meetings held recently and that Governor Matt Mead has made endangered species act reform a major issue in Wyoming. Forums will be coming to different states to discuss how to improve ESA programs and funding. Platform statement needs to include economic impact of proposed programs. Interested delegates were encouraged to keep in touch with Pete Obemueller regarding ESA forums. The Board was given an opportunity to review and comment on the current and proposed budgets of the board, please see attached WIR Financial Review for the peroid ending August 31, 2015. Chair Cruickshank talked about budget and Trustees approved funding for air travel expenses for 6 representatives for PILT. Chris Marklund, Associate Legislative Director, presented an update of legislative progress on PILT technical fix, which Congress passed within resolution which funds government until December 11, 2015. CR technical fix was heavily advocated for by NACo and WIR which delivers in February and additional 34 million. Measure provided for fiscal year 2016 funding of data collection for PILT and would be already included, and if PILT were to be fully funded it would raise funds to 452 million. Another success was in Forest management reform and wildfire suppression funding of $700 million in emergency funds to offset 2015 fire suppression costs. NACo continues to urge congress to address both forest management and fire suppression in comprehensive legislation. Discussion was held regarding the Federal lands action group, and transfer of public lands considering different models wanted by different States and stakeholders. The Board was given a Financial outlook by teleconference with NACo controller to review budget, which currently reflects the financial contribution of NACo to ensure viability of the WIR organization. Board members discussed what WIR mission should be moving forward. Consensus was that we continue as a Forum for sharing ideas and policy positions, and advocacy which translates to legislative success in Congress. Members also agreed that WIR and NACo have great credibility as resource of information, whereas WIR can direct policy and changes. Strategic organizational goals are to widen scope of issues and concerns affecting WIR member states rather than dominating focus on issues and concerns regarding PILT and public lands. The Board also discussed how new specific issues can be presented to WIR and the development process of position being forwarded to NACo and Congress. Revising the Bylaws were also discussed to allow for strategic focus on specific steps to effectively pass or adopt measures and proposals. Strategy opportunity shall consider not wasting energy and time when reality dictates otherwise. Focus on outcomes. Moving forward, Kathleen will provide information regarding an Alaska issue on deep water harbor. Clint and Bob to put together info regarding tribal lands.Gordon pointed out that 4 out of 5 issues on the WIR agenda are regarding public lands and we stereotype ourselves due to the dominant focus on public lands. Gordon requested a motion, which passed, to disband ESA and SRS/PILT working groups and keep wild horses and burros. Proposed actions moving forward: • By laws need to be reviewed. Review bylaws, which propose methods of addressing issues role of leadership executive board; and • State Executive Boards of WIR member states will amass priority issues and submit to WIR board with information presentations, which then the Board will filter issues and prioritize; and • WIR should take advantage of conference call capabilities provided by NACo. Board members then voted on sample logos offered for consideration followed by a motion to adopt the new WIR Logo similar to the new NACo branding passes. Vice President Doug Breidenthal, proposed the formation of a Budget Committee, which was motioned and carried. Doug introduced information to address concerns of forest management and wildfire suppression for consideration of the board. Representatives of Idaho congressional delegation offices gave updates of Idaho legislative issues. One model offered for Public Lands transfer was that the stale would receive tracts of 200,000 acres, 25 tracts would be transferred. Therefore, the Interior Department would see what states could do with management of those tracts. A Representative of Congressman Simpson provided status updates for Waters of United States and Senators push for Wildfire legislation that would consider wildfires as disasters. The Board continued to discuss the groundwork to continue being a strong organization within NACo and the upcoming February meeting in Washington. D.C. This conference provided attendees with new tools, resources and a renewed motivation to thrive in our own respective counties. The specially crafted lectures and trainings revealed innovative ways for legislators to identify and measure success, reduce inefficiencies, and incorporate new and enhanced technologies and resources that will stimulate collaborations between counties. I am extremely privileged to have been in attendance and would definitely encourage others to attend WIR conferences in the future. Mahalo! Da1�lleki-/ � Att. - WIR Financial Review: For the Period Ending August 31, 2015 Western Interstate Region Financial Review For the Period Ending August 31, 2015 • The Western Interstate Region (WIR) financial operations are separated into three distinct areas: operations, the conference and the Public Lands Trust. • Operations: WIR operations are supported by membership dues paid by the participating state associations of counties in the 15 western states. This budget supports the WIR Board of Directors meetings, as well as a portion (approx. 30%) of the NACo Associate Legislative Director working on public lands policy issues. This position administers the WIR membership operations, supports the WIR policy priorities and coordinates the WIR Board and Executive Committee meetings, which are also provided for in this budget. • All of the 2015 dues have been collected, however, in the accompanying financial reports dues revenue through August appears as only a portion of annual dues because the revenue is spread evenly over the twelve months in the fiscal year. Salaries reflect the actual hours charged and Overhead, MIS and Web charges are allocated to the project based on the number of hours charged to WIR. Based on the most recent forecast changes, we are projecting that operations will end the year with a deficit of $1,185. • WIR Annual Conference: The conference focuses on the public lands and other issues critical to the western interstate region of the United States by providing county officials with the opportunity to hear speakers, discuss legislation, network with other officials and share ideas and information. The conference is managed by the NACo conference staff. • Total conference registration was 483, with 272 paid county attendees. That compares to 337 total registrants and 235 paid county attendees in 2014. The budget was based on the average of the previous three years (Santa Fe, Flagstaff and Anchorage) at 420 total registration and 259 paid county attendees. Salaries reflect the actual hours charged by the meetings staff and overhead, MIS and Web charges are allocated based on those hours charged. The NACo Corporate Relations team was able to secure three corporate sponsors for the conference: Nationwide Retirement Solutions, Aetna and Linebarger Goggan Blair & Sampson. Based on higher than anticipated conference cost, expenses by $1,755. Overall, the projected net loss will beat budget by $14,160 due to higher than anticipated registration revenue and sponsors. Public Lands Trust: The trust is funded through annual assessments to WIR member state associations and the funds are used for activities supporting the WIR policy agenda, particularly the advocacy efforts supporting the PILT program. Included in the 2015 budget are amounts for the WIR PILT fly -in and a contribution to the National Endangered Species Fund (NES). At August 31, 2015, the fund balance is $57,298, which is $18,782 higher than the December 31, 2014 balance. The increase is due to the $24,500 in assessments paid by WIR members, less the $5,000 contribution to NESARC and airfare to the Wildland Fire Leadership Council meeting. A portion of the trust assets are invested in a $50,000 Certificate of Deposit earning 1.9%. Western Interstate Region Consolidated Statement of Activity through August 31, 2015 Revenues: Dues Conferences Sponsors Total Revenue Expenses: Conferences, Meetings & Travel Marketing/Printing & Prod Salaries & Benefits Misc Office Exp & Overhead Total Expenses 2015 2015 2016 2014 Actual Budget 2015 August Forecast Difference Budget $ 95,888 $ 95,888 $ 63,925 $ 95,888 $ 31,963 $ 95,888 112,945 126,300 140,215 140,215 - 133,462 12,000 10,000 8,000 12,000 4,000 12,000 220,833 232,188 212,140 248,103 35,963 241,350 69,253 102,125 103,542 110,891 7,349 96,250 12,987 10,650 18,038 18,236 198 181800 55,412 66,246 45,882 61,420 15,538 79,432 59,916 70,351 47,551 65,553 18,002 79,079 197,568 249,372 215,013 256,100 41,087 273,561 NI/(NL) $ 23,265 $ (17,184) $ (2,873) $ (7,997) $ (32,210) Public Lands Trust Statement of Activity through August 31, 2015 2015 2015 2025 2016 2014 Actual Budget August Forecast Difference Budget Public Lands Trust Fund 24,500 24,500 24,500 24,500 Add: Interest income 950 Representation - Wildland Fire Leadership Council $ 1,496 $ 1,500 $ 1,014 $ 1,500 $ 486 $ 1,500 PiLT Fly -in Travel Reimbursement (up to $400 each) 4,769 - - 3,000 3,000 3,000 PIT Fly -in Hotel roon-is 13,597 12,000 S,OOi_1 5,000 51i_1O.1 NI -T Fly -in Catering 5,086 6,000- 7_,000 21,000 2,000 NESARC dues 5,000 5,000 5,000 5,000 51000 Other Adn-inistrative Expenses 7i, 100 416 (416) 2,000 $ ;0,026 $ 24,600 $ 6,430 $ 16,500 $ 10,070 5 18,500 Trust Fund Boicince - Jonuory 1, 2015 $ 38,516 $ 38,516 $ 38,516 $ 47,625 Add: Member Assessments 24,500 24,500 24,500 24,500 Add: Interest income 950 713 1,108 950 Less: Actual/BUdgetecl Expenses (24,600) (6,430) (16,500) (18,500) Projected Fund Bolonce - December 31, 20115 $ 39,366 $ 57,298 $ 47,625 $ 54,575 Additioncri ossessment needed to bring bolonce to $75.,000 $ 3.5,634 $ 17,702 $ 27,375 $ 20,425 WIR: Operations Detail Statement of Activity through August 31, 2015 2014 ACTUAL 2015 BUDGET 2015 YTD 2015 FORECAST Difference 2016 BUDGET Revenue 41945 Membership Dues $ 95,888.00 $ 95,888.00 $ 63,924.96 $ 95,888.40 $ 31,963.44 $ 95,888.40 Expenses 50015 Salaries 26,943.67 30,000.00 20,438.13 31,728.63 11,290.50 40,342.00 50190 Ben: Benefits Allocation 8,915.13 9,600.00 7,351.44 10,248.35 2,896.91 13,160.80 50545 Mkt -Postage Handling & Mail Fees - - - - 50715 Reproduction 1,494.64 250.00 34.30 250.00 215.70 200.00 50720 Printing_Production - - - 50725 USPS_Express Mail & Handling Fee 311.61 100.00 7.20 100.00 92.80 100.00 50740 General Supplies - 200.00 - 100.00 100.00 50745 Bank, Credit Card Fees 404.57 400.00 190.46 400.00 209.54 200.00 50750 Telephone_Fax_Cell & Other Comm 14.83 200.00 - 200.00 200.00 50805 MIS Support (ALLOC) 1,418.10 1,600.00 1,591.38 2,243.88 652.50 2,102.50 50810 WEB -On -Line Svc (ALLOC) 489.00 SS0.00 553.75 778.75 225.00 725.00 50910 Rent Allocation 4,388.97 6,500.00 4,712.32 6,000.00 1,287.68 6,706.26 51010 Staff Travel (Travel, Hotel) 1,286.56 3,000.00 1,971.16 3,000.00 1,028.84 3,000.00 51015 Business Meals - 500.00 126.94 500.00 373.06 300.00 51020 Business Entertain 250.00 70.00 250.00 180.00 200.00 51125 VIP & Committee Tvl (not exec) - 1,616.15 1,616.00 (0.15) 1,000.00 52003 C&M-Meeting Set-up/Rental - - - - - 52005 C&M-Comp Registration (interco) 645.00 500.00 500.00 500.00 52020 C&M-Equipment Rental _AV 2,750.50 2,000.00 2,736.62 3,000.00 263.38 3,000.00 52030 C&M-Speaker Fees & Travel - - 235.25 - (235.25) 52040 C&M-Reception_Banquets 368.00 2,500.00 - 2,500.00 2,500.00 2,500.00 52050 C&M-Entertainment 224.75 - - - - 52055 C&M-F&B Other 2,246.09 3,000.00 1,842.08 3,000.00 1,157.92 3,000.00 52090 C&M-Misc. Other 242.00 - - 250.00 250.00 250.00 52420 Plaques, Recognitions, Gifts 91.90 350.00 434.32 450.00 15.68 300.00 52435 Miscellaneous - - 3.46 50.00 46.54 52500 Overhead (ALLOC) 27,668.41 30,600.00 18,566.00 29,907.41 11,341.41 38,026.37 Total Member Expenses 79,903.73 92,100.00 62,480.96 97,073.01 34,592.05 115,112.93 Net Member Operations $ 15,984.27 $ 3,788.00 $ 1,444.00 $ (1,184.61) $ (2,628.61) $ (19,224.53) WIR Conference Detail Statement of Activity through August 31, 2015 2014 ACTUAL 2015 BUDGET 2015 YTD 2015 FORECAST Difference 2016 BUDGET Revenue 40710 Registration 40715 Registration Refunds 40720 Comp Registrations (interco) 42510 Sponsors General Total Revenue Expenses 50015 Salaries 50190 Ben: Benefits Allocation 50610 Mkt -Ad Placements (interco) 50615 Mkt - Consultant fee, tvl, hotel 50640 Mkt-Printing_Production 50645 Mkt -Postage Handling & Mail Fee 50715 Reproduction Internal 50725 USPS_Express Mail & Handling Fee 50740General Supplies 50745 Bank, Credit Card Fees 50750Telephone_Fax_Cell & Other Comm 50760Office Maintenance 50805 MIS Support (ALLOC) 50810 WEB -On -Line Svc (ALLOC) 50910 Rent Allocation 51010 Staff Trave l (Trave 1, Hote l) 51015 Business Meals 51020 Business Entertain 52003 C&M-Space Rent, Set Up, Dec. 520lOC&M-Registration Costs (all) 52015 C&M-Signs 52020 C&M-Equipment Rental -AV 52040 C&M-Speaker Fees & Travel 52040 C&M-Reception_Banquets 52055 C&M-F&B Other 52060 C&M-F&B Staff 52075 C&M-Shipping 52090 C&M-Misc. Other 52305 Insurance 52435 Miscellaneous 52500 Overhead (ALLOC) Total Conference Expenses Net Conference Operations $ 115,180.00 $ 130, 000.00 $ 145, 615.00 $ 14S,615.00 $ - $ 137,460.00 (4,600.00) (5,200.00) (6,820.00) (6,820.00) - (5,498.00) 2,365.00 1,500.00 1,420.00 1,420.00 - 1,500.00 12, 000.00 10, 000.00 8,000.00 12, 000.00 4,000.00 _ _ 12, 000.00 $ 124, 945.00 $ 136, 300.00 $ 148, 215.00 $ 152, 215.00 $ 4,000.00 $ 145, 462.00 14, 872.11 20, 344.43 13, 559.88 14, 696.08 1,136.20 19,5S1.00 4,680.84 6,301.88 4,532.55 4,746.83 214.28 6,378.14 5,207.00 3,900.00 4,461.00 4,461.00 - 4, 500.00 1,520.00 1,600.00 1,175.26 1,200.00 24.74 1,600.00 1,563.91 1,700.00 1,924.67 1,925.00 0.33 2,000.00 3,201.59 3,200.00 10, 443.05 10, 400.00 ( 43.05) 10,500.00 29.50 SOO.00 43.20 60.00 16.80 SOO.00 - - 282.30 260.00 (22.30) 3,164.39 3,150.00 2,918.73 3,150.00 231.27 3,000.00 103.33 100.00 9.85 100.00 90.15 100.00 36.39 50.00 17.35 50.00 32.65 1,103.45 1,S28.30 1,099.10 1,528.30 429.20 1,740.00 380.50 527.00 379.00 527.00 148.00 600.00 3,865.16 4,595.44 3,541.60 4,59S.44 1,0S3.84 5, 550.00 2,495.71 4,500.00 4,125.10 4,500.00 374.90 2,870.00 - 500.00 - - - 500.00 245.77 500.00 43.90 1,000.00 956.10 5,791.00 2,125.00 - - - 11,650.00 1,993.00 2,200.00 3,270.34 3,270.00 ( 0.34) 3,21S.00 1,234.26 1,500.00 1,778.85 1,780.00 1.15 2,000.00 19, 610.00 24, 650.00 29, 794.80 29,79S.00 0.20 16,100.00 3,500m 3'S00.00 3, 508.88 3'S00.00 ( 8.88) S'000.00 21,053.70 41,650.00 43,946.60 43,950.00 3.40 32,700.00 1,469.10 2,400.00 1,908.92 1,910.00 1.08 2,909.00 1,651.24 3,750.00 1,848.84 1,850.00 1.16 2,956.00 2,446.72 2,600.00 4,717.12 4,720.00 2.88 2,600.00 - 500.00 - - - 500.00 907.28 1,000.00 326.56 1,000.00 673.44 1,000.00 156.32 200.00 52.40 200.00 147.60 15,382.11 18,200.04 12,822.06 13,852.53 1,030.47 18,428.77 117,664.38 157,272.09 152,531.91 159,027.18 6,495.27 158,447.91 $ 7,280.62 $ (20,972.09) $ (4,316.91) $ (6,812.18) $ (2,495.27) $ (12,985.91)