Posted on: Friday, March 18, 2005

Budget for council expenses climbing

By Robbie Dingeman
Advertiser Staff Writer

The City Council's legislative budget has climbed more than 40 percent over three years, rising to $12.5 million to cover expenses that include a national convention for county officials, a new city auditor's office and even some office renovations.

Chairman Donovan Dela Cruz acknowledged yesterday that the budget is increasing at a time when the city administration is proposing higher fees for residents and canceling projects. "It's not the best time," he said.

The legislative budget includes expenses for the council, office and support staff; the city clerk's office, which runs elections in even-numbered years; and the staff that assists the public with information about government.

Dela Cruz said he is obligated to pay for the increased costs, including playing host to an estimated 4,400 officials for the 2005 National Association of Counties Conference in July.

He said the budget must also cover the once-a-decade costs for a Charter Commission to propose updates to the City Charter; and the new city auditor's office, both approved by voters.

Dela Cruz said former Councilwoman Rene Mansho first proposed bringing the national conference of county leaders to Honolulu. He said that last year the council approved $815,000 for transportation and promotional expenses and that the sum is expected to rise by at least $137,000.

The city's legislative budget was $9 million in fiscal year 2003-04 and $11.9 million in fiscal 2004-05. Projections are that it will be $12.5 million for the upcoming fiscal year.

Councilwoman Barbara Marshall urged a slowdown on expanding the auditor's office. "Last fiscal year, we got two audits. This fiscal year with a double staff, we've still only had two audits," she said.

Auditor Les Tanaka replied that a shortage of office space at the Kapolei Hale building made it difficult to hire additional workers until late in the year. But he said planned office moves should allow the staff to undertake more reports.

Dela Cruz also said $280,000 has been set aside in the budget for office renovations at Honolulu Hale. He said the council began looking at the cost of fixing up its offices after realizing that the building needed to be modified to provide federally required access to the disabled and to meet an April deadline to either install fire sprinklers in the City Hall tower or remove all staff members from that area.

Dela Cruz said that since changes were planned, he proposed looking into consolidating office space so council members and their staff would not be spread through the building.

Reach Robbie Dingeman at rdingeman@honoluluadvertiser.com or 535-2429.