Comm No 0003.01.15 - Testimony - Ad Hoc - PONC fund and Maintenance fund

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From: Marjorie Erway <merway@hawaii.rr.com> Sent: Sunday, November 4, 2018 8:51 PM To: Charter Commission Cc: Kim, Harry Subject: do NOT reduce the 2% Land Fund, please Aloha Charter Commission Chair Adams and Commissioners! As you know, the 2% Land Fund has been in existence since 2005, which is almost 14 years. Only 14 properties have been purchased and now there is $16 million sitting in the fund. Why isn't the County buying land? That question is especially pertinent, since this Land Fund was mandated by 63% of voters three times and the public has submitted 161 ideas for properties. The acquisition process takes time. After a citizen recommends a property to the Public Access, Open Space and Natural Resources Commission (PONC), then it is vetted through PONC and hopefully makes the recommendation in the Report to the Mayor in December of each year. Then the appropriate Council member needs to write a resolution to direct the Director of Finance to acquire the property and staff goes to work. Staff contacts property owners, conducts appraisals, land surveys, flora and fauna inventories for endangered species, floodplain etc. This staff work can take longer than a year. Matching funds to maximize taxpayer dollars are also looked for. The staff, of course, is usually assigned these duties as well as other jobs to do; so all their efforts are not concentrated on property acquisition. Please do not reduce the 2% Land Fund amount, however, the Charter could be changed to provide salary for staff dedicated to the administration of the 2% Land Fund program to include land acquisition AND the Maintenance Fund. If the staff salary was paid for from the 2% Land Fund, this would help the Department of Finance by saving the cost of a staff salary. Please don't reduce the Land Fund, instead, make some changes to strengthen this voter -mandated program by adding staff paid for out of the 2% Land Fund. Again, I urge you to NOT reduce the 2% land Fund and do NOT put a cap on the amount in the fund. Property acquisition takes time and properties are expensive. The 2% Land Fund program could easily work better with your expertise of changing some and/or adding rules. I appreciate your willingness to serve us, the citizens of Hawaii Island County. Marjorie Erway Comm. No. 3.1.15