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HomeMy WebLinkAboutREP FC 037 2019/05/07 2018-2020 REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON FINANCE DATE: May 7, 2019 Re: Comm. No. 234/Bill No. 63 PLACE: Council Chambers Kailua-Kona, Hawai`i TIME: 2:03 p.m. Council Chair and Members Hawai`i County Council Hilo, Hawai`i 96720 Your Committee on Finance, to which was referred Bill No. 63, reports as follows: Bill No. 63, transmitted by Corporation Counsel Joseph K. Kamelamela, via Communication No. 234 dated April 18, 2019, amends Chapter 2, Article 25, Section 2-139 of the Hawai`i County Code 1983 (2016 Edition, as amended), relating to the procedure for awarding grants to nonprofit organizations. This bill proposes a$500,000 increase to the application for grants-in-aid awarded annually in the County's operating budget. Council Member Susan L. K. Lee Loy commented on having sat in on the process of the nonprofit grant-in-aid committee helps to understand the needs in the community. The nonprofits serve the most vulnerable population on the island. The Hawai`i County Code requires that only$1 million be set aside for the nonprofit grant-in-aid program but the past administrations have set aside$1.5 million. At this point in time, Ms. Lee Loy hopes that it be set in stone what the nonprofit grant-in-aid should be getting. It is a moral necessity the County continue to serve communities with the nonprofit grant program. If this bill passes, it will take effect on July 1, 2019. Council Member Karen Eoff agreed that it is timely to memorialize this $1.5 million in the code. Having sat on the nonprofit grant review committees, it was painful to see what the organizations needed and what the County is able to give. Even $1.5 million is not enough, the nonprofit agencies actually help the County save money with the services they provide. Council Member Herbert M. "Tim"Richards, III commented that the grant in aid program is like a community accelerator, it helps take care of things that might not otherwise get attention. He noted that all of the programs are hyper scrutinized by the ad hoc committee as it comes forth. Council Member Rebecca Villegas stated she agrees that the amount of money the organizations save the County is substantial and that this is an example of the networking and positive outcomes that can be achieved through nonprofit organizations and government working together. FC Report No. 37 FC-37 Page 2 May 7,2019 Committee Chair Maile David thanked the three other Council Members who sat on the ad hoc committee, noting it is not only a very difficult thing to do but most of the time it is not certain if the additional $500,000 will be allocated. Ms. David expressed that the amount needed is so much more than the County can ever give, and added that the County nonprofit program not only saves the County money but a lot of these programs that service the communities provide services that fall under the jurisdiction of the State, as well. Your Committee on Finance is in accord with the purpose and intent of Bill No. 63, and recommends its passage on first reading. dmm AYES NOES ABS EX Respectfully submitted, CHUNG X DAVID x COMMITTEE ON FINANCE EOFF X KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER X KIERKIEWICZ X 41010... /� LEE LOY X POINDEXTER x MAILE MED ' OS DAVID, CHAIR RICHARDS X FC REPORT NO.: 37 VILLEGAS x ADOPTED: MAY 2 1 2019