HomeMy WebLinkAboutComm No 0024.062 - Correspondence - Finance Director - CA-9 - staff for PONC fund and Maintenance fundHarry Kim
Mayor
County of Hawaii
Finance Department
25 Aupuni Street, Suite 2103 • Hilo, Hawai`i 96720
(808) 961-8234 • Fax (808) 961-8569
Date: January 25, 2019
To: Douglass Shipman Adams, Chair and Members
of the Hawaii County Charter Commission
From: Deanna Sak ,Director
Aloha Chair Adams and Fellow Commissioners,
Deanna S. Sako
Director
Let me start by apologizing for not being able to review the proposed charter amendment CA -9 in a
timelier manner. I have the following comments to offer on proposed amendment CA -9, as currently
drafted.
1.
2.
3.
The proposed amendment to Section 10-15 (c) of the County of Hawaii Charter, which adds
new item (3), is so detailed that it could actually prevent the desired intent; hiring a staff person
to help facilitate acquisitions and management of lands for public access, open space, natural
resource preservation. For example, if Human Resources determined the class specifications for
duties similar to those described in CA -9 already exists and/or that the position is not a "senior
staff' position as stated on the amendment, then advancing the intent of this proposed
amendment could be difficult.
While I am not necessarily opposed to a new position, I do feel strongly that the level of
specificity is really overstepping what should be included in the narrative of the Charter. It is
also conceivable that the duties described in this section may not warrant a full-time position
given that this proposed staff person would be restricted to working solely on those duties
described in CA -9.
Creating a position tied to a fund is also not a precedent that this Administration would endorse.
If passed, it could mean future proposals for new positions from other funds (solid waste, sewer,
general excise tax, etc.) which could, in turn, undermine each department's effectiveness in
staffing as efficiently as possible. Given that employee wages and benefits are approximately
68% of the current budget, and growing, we need to assure we can continue leveraging staff
where possible.
If the intent of CA -9 is to allow the PONC Funds to be used to hire additional staff to assist with the
implementation of the Sections 10-15 and 10-16 of the County of Hawai`i Charter, then 10-15(c)(3)
could simply be reworded "Pay for the salary, wages, and benefits of staff dedicated to advancing the
activities contained within Sections 10-15 and 10-16."
Hawaii County is an Equal Opportunity Employer and Provider
Comm. No. 24.62