HomeMy WebLinkAboutComm No 0024.098 - Testimony - CA-9 - staff for PONC fund and Maintenance fundTestimony to Charter Review Commission
Relating to the 2% Land Fund — CA -9 and CA -18
Public Hearing in Kona, April 3, 2019
Chair Adams, Vice -Chair Zelko-Schlueter and Members of the Commission:
Having followed proposals for the 2% Land Fund through many iterations in the Charter Review process,
I am happy to think we have finally come to a point where the proposals address the Fund's real
problems.
It was apparent when this process began that two major challenges loomed. Over the decade, purchase
of properties had been painfully slow. That led both government officials and some members of the
public to question why so much money should go unused. The second problem was the difficulty of non-
profits receiving stewardship g rants to fulfill their maintenance responsibilities.
The proposed CA -9 change introduced by Commission Galimba would address both problems. Paying for
a full-time staff person in the Department of Finance to work only on the 2% Land Fund would allow a
focus on the complex processes of acquiring land and seeking outside funding. It would also allow that
staff person to offer help to non -profits as they weave their way through the paperwork required for
funding.
Changes to the Maintenance Fund as introduced by Sally Rice include one very important item: that the
Department of Finance administer the Fund. Parks and Recreation already has a full plate. With a second
employee in the Department of Finance to administer the Fund -- one dealing solely with the Fund —
non -profits should be able to receive and distribute their funding much more effectively. It is unrealistic
to expect the program to be effective without proper maintenance.
Ca -18 in its presently proposed form allows the construction of small structures and the building of
trails. More important, it will enable payment for work done on the land. The latter is crucial to making
sure that coordination and consistency of programs go forward.
Thank you for your considerable patience in dealing with PONC over the last six months. It is a program
dear to the hearts of many Big Islanders — one where our County can stand out in looking to the future.
Please support both CA -9 and CA -18 as now proposed.
Susan Dursin
Captain Cook, HI
Comm. No. 24.98