HomeMy WebLinkAboutComm No 0035.59 - Testimony - CA-18 - PONC Maintenance fundAugust 8, 2019
TO: Hawaii County Charter Commission
FROM: Deborah Ward, Chair, Sierra Club Hawaii Island Group
Aloha, Commission members,
Sierra Club would like to commend you on the work you have undertaken , and thank you for
continuing to listen to the testimony of the public as we offer what we consider solutions to the
challenges our county faces.
We appreciate the attention given by the county council to the specifics of the charter
amendments you forwarded to them, and for their proposed wording for amendment to CA -18.
As you know, our members are involved with a number of the non -profits that care for the
PONC County -purchased lands, and they struggle daily with some of the difficulties and
constraints of the current system. Some contemplate the possibility of taking on some or more
responsibility for the land, but are aware that without compensation, the board members can
only commit so much time and continued energy.
We ask that you please consider accepting the amendment offered by the council to strengthen
the charter by adding the possibility that non-profit board members could include
reimbursement for time as well as expense in a well managed business plan setting with
oversight by the Finance Department.
We also ask that you name a specific position in CA -9, to be paid for with PONC funds, within
the Finance Department, to reduce the costs that the county bears for the management and
oversight. This would benefit the county by reducing the burden of a salary current paid for
within the County budget. (We do object to the vague wording that currently would pay for
"staff" not specifically assigned to PONC work.
Thank you,
Deborah Ward
Comm. No. 35.59