HomeMy WebLinkAboutComm No 0003.01.15 - Testimony - Ad Hoc - PONC fund and Maintenance fundFrom: 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