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To:	Harry Kim, Mayor Members, Hawaii County Council
From:	Hawaii County Cost of Government Commission
cc:	Lincoln S. T. Ashida Dixie Kaetsu
Date:	February 20, 2003
Re:	REPORT

The members of the Hawaii County Cost of Government Commission are pleased to submit the attached report of their review of various County departments, commissions, boards, offices and other instrumentalities of government pursuant to Article V, Chapter 2, of the County Charter.

In the 11 months since the County Council’s confirmation of our appointments, we have held 24 meetings and interviewed representatives of 22 County departments, commissions and other agencies. Following thorough consideration and review of voluminous materials and testimony, and after extensive discussion, we prepared the findings and recommendations contained in the attached report.

Despite our efforts, however, the 11-month term specified in Section 5-2.3, proved insufficient to "study and investigate the organizations and methods of all branches of the county government…." as specified in Section 5-2.2. (emphasis supplied). Furthermore, the limited time specified in the Charter prevented the Commission from investigating the County’s departments in depth. The Commission believes that its function is valuable and should be a permanent part of the County’s governance system. Our report, therefore, includes a recommendation that the Mayor forward to the County Council an ordinance establishing the Commission as a permanent body to provide for ongoing review of County government operations. In addition, several members of the Commission have expressed their willingness to continue to serve, if reappointed, in order to complete reports already begun on key County departments in order to establish a baseline for the work of future Commissions.

We, the undersigned members of the Cost of Government Commission, express our sincere thanks for the opportunity to serve our County and its residents in this important enterprise, and trust that you, our elected representatives, will carefully consider the recommendations contained in our report. We stand ready to respond to any questions you may have.