HomeMy WebLinkAboutREP FC 041 2017/09/19 (2016-2018) REPORT OF THE
COMMITTEE ON FINANCE
DATE: September 19, 2017 Re: Comm. No. 438/Res. No. 287-17
PLACE: Council Chambers
Kailua-Kona, Hawai`i
TIME: 2:25 p.m.
Council Chair and Members
Hawai`i County Council
Hilo, Hawai`i 96720
Your Committee on Finance, to which was referred Resolution No. 287-17, reports as follows:
Resolution No. 287-17, transmitted by Council Member Karen Eoff and Council Member Dru Mamo
Kanuha, via Communication No. 438 dated August 31, 2017, requests the Office of the Legislative
Auditor to conduct a performance audit of the Department of Water Supply to ensure the department has
adequate contingency plans to guarantee sufficient water supply to customers at all times, including
during a disruption of deep well operations.
Five of the Hawaii County Department of Water Supply's deep wells, Waiaha, Palani, Keopu, Hualalai,
and Honokohau are out of service, restricting water access to residents,businesses, and private and
public services in North and Central Kona.
Ms. Eoff stated that given the current water restriction situation for the past seven to eight
months, she feels it is important to find out what could be done in the future and whether there
are any kind of backup plans. She and Mr. Kanuha spoke with the Legislative Auditor's office
to look at the current Department of Water Supply's policies or practices, and request the
Legislator Auditor's office to provide some recommendations.
Bonnie Nims, Legislative Auditor, responded it would be difficult due to the fact that she does
not know exactly what type of criteria is available to them. They would need to do preliminary
survey work before they could give a reasonable estimate on time, however her best guess would
be possibly five months at the very least.
Mr. Kanuha stated the reason this resolution was done in this manner was so that it could be
done in-house and a Request for Proposal (RFP) would not have to be done. The Water Supply
Board was doing the short-term proactive approach to deal with a lot of the issues Kona is facing
right now. This is more of a long-term look. He feels this is a good resolution for a proactive
approach that the Council could do.
Mr. Kanuha noted the resolution will be forwarded to the Legislative Auditor, and they will
decide if it is necessary and what the timeline would be. It is his opinion and feels that it is
important and incumbent upon the County to move forward with this.
FC Report No. 41
FC-41 Page 2 September 19, 2017
Your Committee on Finance is in accord with the purpose and intent of Resolution No. 287-17,
and recommends its adoption.
dm
AYES NOES ABS EX Respectfully submitted,
CHUNG X
DAVID x COMMITTEE ON FINANCE
EOFF X
KANUHA X
LEE LOY XAi. do
46-.4rawr-
POINDEXTER
O HARA X x MAILE DAVID, CHAIR
RICHARDS X FC REPORT NO.: 41
RUGGLES X ADOPTED: OCT 0 4 2017