Posted on: Thursday, July 10, 2003

ISLAND VOICES
Mayor's claims are wrong

This was written by Council Chairman Gary Okino and council members Ann Kobayashi, Romy Cachola, Donovan Dela Cruz, Charles Djou, Nestor Garcia and Rod Tam.

In a press conference on June 19, Mayor Harris announced that he would allow the Executive Operating Budget for fiscal year 2004 to become law without his signature.

In a subsequent letter, the mayor stated "the council's effort this year contains illegal appropriations; careless or negligent errors in deleting and restoring funds or positions; evidences a disregard for any degree of accuracy in projecting accurate revenues to balance the budget; and disregards the law."

To clear the air of illegality surrounding the budget and the council's actions, the Budget Committee held a special meeting to address the concerns raised by the administration in statements made to the public and in the letter. The issues are as follows:

• Appropriation of $400,000 to the Provision for Judgment and Losses. The council added $400,000 to the provision to pay for settlement claims against the city. The council also added a proviso requiring the $400,000 be used to pay for the settlement of the Golf Course 5 & 6 lawsuit.

Misstatement: The mayor's letter states that the $400,000 is a "duplicative appropriation" and "illegally inflates the budget," since the $400,000 was included in the previous year's capital budget.

Fact: The $400,000 from the previous year was put into escrow on June 17, well after the council unanimously passed the fiscal year 2004 budget.

• Modification of position counts and funding.

Misstatement: The administration states that eliminating positions and appropriations in the Department of Budget and Fiscal Services and adding positions and appropriations in the Department of Community Services, constitutes a direct violation of the City Charter.

Fact: The council's actions were not in violation of the Charter. Instead, establishing position counts and funding departments is a Charter-authorized responsibility of the Council.

• Disregard for public safety.

Misstatement: The administration claims that the council appropriated only $220,000 to the Honolulu Police Department.

Fact: The council added $1 million to fund salary requirements for the department as well as $1 million in funding for the Fire Department. The council will continue its support of these vital public safety functions.

• Reduction in future Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funding. Of the $134 million budgeted for city bus operations, $1 million is funded through CDBG funds. To help out nonprofit groups, the council removed $300,000 from the amount and replaced it with monies from the Bus Fund.

Misstatement: The mayor stated that the amount removed is "gone forever and can never be used again."

Fact: The funding is not gone but, in fact, will go to fund the activities of various nonprofit groups.

As the legislative body for the City & County of Honolulu, the City Council has a duty and obligation to the people of Honolulu to hold the executive branch accountable in its actions and functions.

As we have always done (through public hearings, committee meetings, community and neighborhood board meetings, and always in accordance with the Sunshine Law), the council encourages the public's full participation and input in the process of governance.

While there will be disagreements with the administration on policy (which should not be taken personally), this is a necessary part of the checks and balances process in government. The council has and will serve and advance the general welfare, health and safety of the residents of the City & County of Honolulu.