The Department of Data Systems is responsible for managing and
operating the County's main computer system and its related telecommunications network.
The department processes the County's important financial applications such as accounting,
budget, purchasing, payroll, sewer billing, and inventory control. It provides advice and
support for numerous computer applications and computer systems utilized by various County
departments and agencies, performs systems analysis and programming functions, maintains
data security, and provides in-house computer training classes. Data Systems Department
plays a leadership role in coordinating the growth and use of computer systems for the
County government and provides advice and assistance on the acquisition of computer
systems and software by various County departments and agencies. The department also
provides countywide leadership, coordination, and support in the geographic information
systems (GIS) area.
The operating budget for Fiscal Year l999-00 was $ 740,107.
Preparations for the Year 2000 (Y2K) were successfully completed prior
to the arrival of the new century. Substantial work and testing was done to ready computer
systems and software applications. Representatives from the Data Systems Department and
Civil Defense Agency attended and participated in numerous Y2K related planning sessions
and awareness forums at the government and community levels.
Internet Web Site
The County continued to expand material available through its web site by adding the
following:
- Charter Commission minutes and agendas, proposed amendments, questions for ballot
- Real Property foreclosure pages
- County Council meeting agendas and summary of actions
- Parks & Recreation Elderly Activities and Aquatics pages
- Office of Aging Partners in Elder Care network directory
- Corporation Counsel formal opinions
- County Code
- Civil Defense Y2K readiness material
The County's Web site home page and directories were also redesigned to
make it easier to use. The site contains a variety of interesting information including
tables, maps, photographs, and a calendar of events and can be accessed by entering either
of the following:
www.hawaii-county.com
or co.hawaii.hi.us
Below is a brief summary of the other information on the
County’s web site:
Mayor's Page contains the mayor’s photo, a welcome message,
and background information.
County Council Page contains a message from the Council
Chairman, information on council districts, and photos and background information for each
council member.
General Directory Page lists each County department and agency,
along with addresses, telephone numbers, hours of operation, general summary of services
performed, and names of administrators.
Photo Gallery Page has a variety of photos of County facilities
and employees at work.
Calendar of Events Page shows dates and times of upcoming
council meetings, hearings, and other County government related events that may be of
interest to the general public.
County Data Book Page contains the most recently published
County of Hawaii Data Book showing demographic and other statistical data compiled
annually by the Research & Development Department.
County Annual Report Page contains the most recently published
County Annual Report.
Parks & Recreation Page has general information on P&R
facilities around the island. A click on a point of interest on a Big Island map will
provide a photo and information for a specific park.
Employment Opportunities Page has information on how to find out
about current County government job listings through the County's Civil Service
Department.
Budget Information Page shows summarized budget data.
Status of Bids Page lists current public bids issued by the
County's Purchasing Division.
Building Permits Page shows various monthly summary reports for
building permits issued.
County General Plan Page contains the complete copy of County's
current General Plan including text, color maps with land use designations, and images of
all amendments enacted by ordinance since 1989.
County Charter Page contains a copy of the 1991 County Charter
along with the 1994, 1996, and 1998 amendments.
Hawaii Links Page contains links to other web sites that may be
of interest to the general public such as the Big Island Film Office, Big Island
Agriculture, University of Hawaii, Police Department, Panaewa Zoo, Hawaii State
government, and Federal government web sites.
Contact Us Page allows the general public to utilize Internet
e-mail capabilities to request information, make suggestions, file a complaint, etc.
E-Commerce
The County is partnering with Hawaii state government's Access Hawaii
project to pursue implementation of electronic commerce projects that will enable the
public to obtain government services via the Internet. Application areas under
consideration for implementation at this time include Camping Permits, Sewer Bill
inquiries and payments, and purchase of the Hawaii County Data Book.
Geographic Information Systems (GIS)
The department established this new program area with the hiring of a
GIS Analyst at mid-year. Data Systems Department now provides countywide leadership,
coordination, and support in the geographic information systems area. A needs assessment
was conducted and the County's first GIS Plan was completed. The plan outlines the need
for GIS in County government operations, the role Data Systems Department will play, long
range goals, and short-term objectives. A GIS Planning Group was also established to
coordinate countywide GIS program activities among all agencies.
By the end of the fiscal year, the department acquired computer
hardware and software to develop and process GIS data layers. It also coordinated the
purchase of a parcel data layer for County use. Current projects include compilation and
conversion of numerous available GIS base layers for the County’s GIS database,
disaster mitigation and preparedness under participation in the federal government Project
Impact Program, development of a TMK-street address database, and development of a process
to update a street/roads layer.
Computer Operations
Sewer bills were converted to laser printed output. Conversion to an
improved method for printing payroll and accounting system checks and purchase orders was
implemented. The new system enables the County to print background information, magnetic
ink encoded warrant numbers, and authorized signatures on stock paper via a laser printer.
This will eliminate the need to purchase special forms and will provide greater control
over the layout and modification.
Computer System Upgrades
Two obsolete mini-computer systems were removed and replaced with move
cost effective alternatives. Several other computer systems and software upgrades were
completed during the year, primarily due to preparation for the Year 2000.
Telecommunications Network
The County completed revamping its mini-computer telecommunications
network by converting to "dial-up" access to its central computer system.
Dial-up access was also implemented for some PC-based LAN systems. These changes will
yield long term savings while improving overall performance, efficiency, and reliability.
Computer Training and Support
Data Systems Department continued to provide numerous PC computer
training classes on a quarterly basis for County employees. Specialized classes were also
conducted to retrain employees in the use of modern PC systems. End user support was
consolidated to a single central "help desk" phone number.
A special PC Virus protection workshop was held and County departments
and agencies were advised on how to avoid the dangers of PC viruses and what to do if they
detect one. During the year, PC virus software used by the County was regularly updated to
protect computer systems. Response to virus alerts were quick. As a result, the County was
fortunate to have encountered only minor problems due to viruses.
Real Property Tax System
The County began a $2 million dollar project that will lead to the
complete replacement of its computerized real property tax system. The new system will
enable the County to modernize its property tax functions. Internet web-based inquiry
access will be available to County departments and agencies and to the public. The future
will see eventual replacement of the County's building & planning permit systems with
applications developed to integrate with the new real property tax system. The ability to
interface to a countywide GIS system is another by-product of the new system. All of these
features will eventually lead to the elimination of duplicate record keeping, reduce the
need to pass paperwork between County organizations, improve the accuracy and currency of
data, and eliminate the need to conduct individual record searches for parcel-related data
from several disjoint computer systems.
Other Activities
Staff training in the use of Microsoft Access software was completed.
This knowledge was used to convert the County Cemetery Records System from the
mini-computer environment to the PC-LAN environment. Two new applications were also
developed: Motor Vehicle Archive and manual Health Fund Payments using Microsoft Access.
A data needs assessment was completed by interviewing all County
departments and agencies.
Procedures for ordering PC systems were modified to allow County
departments and agencies to take advantage of more timely pricing and product availability
throughout the year in the dynamic PC market place.
