[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6287563,"mediaKeyId","2549794-043f73c7214618287879ce5f7e5f1209","parentId",2549794,"title","Corporation Counsel urges keeping judgment & loss appropriation at $9.5M, warns of large pending exposures","audioSeconds",108,"startMs",8468000,"endMs",8576000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2549794-043f73c7214618287879ce5f7e5f1209&start=8468&end=8576","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2549794-043f73c7214618287879ce5f7e5f1209/thumbnail_8468000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6287563/Honolulu-City/Honolulu-County/Hawaii/Corporation-Counsel-urges-keeping-judgment-loss-appropriation-at-95M-warns-of-large-pending-exposures","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6287563-37a0f0e01b38cb60cf5d307f79aa5fa8/orig.mp4?Expires=1770436872&Signature=DOIMTxaeA3vHhSSiRI-CwABreSkTUsaUXAyavv7nCWzwAXikiv2L446b~upL4zf-2eRBVOkXq~UUkbru093w~0gr3KxFlkceF8vn5attv~wwlpr-PijK4qaVgRqIVzMq9ay6pzlpl5cuzW~6hKgiJ4lBuP8BE8XRamUdJO9A~FIjKrMyOCfEOrCytvj4cVvvtuCkcqBYj0phEbafR8dDwXP1vzoRwMiGUKsGJBgZLn-AwR2NLb68fivAvFeDE8drwoJnsLzgOWMf92GZc1fSCuk32Xux-WWCgTKEZUAziFKzyNW2Z~ooMDTHEq1qSTbZ9erTNOx5hH9pjN~nJ1hu-g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City Council of Honolulu, HI","date","2025-03-11T13:52:25Z","article","Department of Corporation Counsel asked the Budget Committee to retain the FY‑26 appropriation for judgments and losses at $9.5 million, saying unresolved and potentially large cases make reductions risky.

Dana Viola, appearing for the department, told Council members the department had been appropriated $9.5 million for J&L in the prior year and that actual expenditures this year are running higher than the previously estimated close‑out. \"We anticipate next year is gonna be a tough year. We have a lot of pretty large cases that haven't resolved themselves and which we anticipate may settle or go to trial next year,\" Viola said.

Viola said outside counsel fees and expert consultant costs — which are reported across several object codes — can vary year to year depending on trial load and case complexity. Councilmembers asked about the jump in consulting and outside counsel lines in the budget document; Viola explained the department accounts for those services across categories such as expert witnesses, outside counsel and other professional services, and that totals must be considered in aggregate.

The department also addressed its move to new leased office space and said a longer‑term negotiated lease lowered projected occupancy costs from the originally anticipated figure, offsetting some cost pressures. Corporation Counsel reported vacancies but said hiring is underway: three deputies were hired since the vacancy report, and additional staff hires are in progress.

No Council vote was taken; Corporation Counsel recommended retention of the $9.5 million J&L appropriation for FY‑26 to avoid shortfalls if several large cases settle.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","2025-03-10 Special Budget Briefing PM","oneSentenceSummary","Corporation Counsel told the budget committee it expects continued high litigation exposure and recommended maintaining the $9.5 million appropriation for judgments and losses, noting several large unresolved cases that could settle next year.","taxTitle","Honolulu City, Honolulu County, Hawaii","taxId",61746,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6287568,"Medical Examiner reduces vacancies but CT‑scanner CIP delayed; off‑site refrigeration and generator plans remain",419,7190000,7609000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2549794-043f73c7214618287879ce5f7e5f1209&start=7190&end=7609","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2549794-043f73c7214618287879ce5f7e5f1209/thumbnail_7190000.jpg","/articles/6287568/Honolulu-City/Honolulu-County/Hawaii/Medical-Examiner-reduces-vacancies-but-CTscanner-CIP-delayed-offsite-refrigeration-and-generator-plans-remain","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6287568-d423610a03cade53ed5898bc2a8bbcbb/orig.mp4?Expires=1770436872&Signature=cwL6bysugfsWtPJhlsstdy5ZGmHihbuCF8PFvxIwdrDMbN-lrTj9WXIANAnQig1h~4JFBKJpdX2wqgdlRFPBFsYXuk6WoGTmkBvW1k0S~QVgGyOUyTezD6MTHO35dlllk6KeGeYzZIysafYl5xGAwT7oVRO8KNglkrmecmJLFPaLPJOYiTDiZrbW001C5jSq~Gw4xuheig1eehoL00sYqlfJueAF~EWVjdPjMHxgsjSE0QsPNMPRe86setxDnYUwMBoCOzY31lEFCHHJTrciJ010~eZQ8afX~1JBP0nX8VU8yPmP9u-p6xC~YyozG88yySaOaqWq4MQOfFgkgNkD7A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Medical Examiner briefed the Committee on Budget on staffing and capital needs, reporting improved recruitment but a postponed imaging project.

Dr. Masashiko Kobayashi said the department reduced vacancies from seven to two and has hired a new deputy chief. The Medical Examiner proposed three additional positions — an executive assistant to support management functions, an office assistant to handle high volumes of public contacts, and a Medical‑Legal Investigator 4 to supervise field investigators — as part of a reorganization to improve operations.

The department told the Council that a planned CT‑scanner project — intended to reduce the number of autopsies and improve diagnostic capability — has been postponed because the Department of Design and Construction lacks capacity to deliver the CIP this fiscal year. The M.E. said it will resubmit the request in a future CIP cycle.

Kobayashi reported cost‑saving on toxicology testing because the department is using a Department of Health grant for some services, but also noted rising costs for security guard contracts. The department currently stores bodies off‑site; that contract costs roughly $11,000 per month. A generator project and refrigerated storage integration are planned for a later CIP year.

Councilmembers asked about vandalism risks and the status of the refrigeration and generator work; Kobayashi said security improvements have reduced incidents and that the generator CIP is expected in FY‑27. No formal decisions were made; Councilmembers requested follow‑up details on timing and costs for postponed projects and staffing reorganization.","The Department of the Medical Examiner reported vacancy reductions from seven to two and requested three new positions for reorganization, but its planned CT scanner capital project was postponed because of DDC capacity constraints. The department continues to pay for off‑site refrigeration storage and expects a generator CIP in a later year.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6287572,"Prosecutor seeks pay increase for deputies, extra clerical help and office space as VOCA exposure prompts staffing concerns",496,5591000,6087000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2549794-043f73c7214618287879ce5f7e5f1209&start=5591&end=6087","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2549794-043f73c7214618287879ce5f7e5f1209/thumbnail_5591000.jpg","/articles/6287572/Honolulu-City/Honolulu-County/Hawaii/Prosecutor-seeks-pay-increase-for-deputies-extra-clerical-help-and-office-space-as-VOCA-exposure-prompts-staffing-concerns","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6287572-2df6370afd1d7fff47656a4303296770/orig.mp4?Expires=1770436872&Signature=QZL7a-RSqFaJzgYMjf8gVhVEcF-XZMNdTLNGnBk9clXvRVonflQy7tFVPXGnTfrZpV7v~G-NFVfaU-s~~PddCFylfhjL7HMmuxY3yU5TWNjYZQZLOPp2hIZcEMEsFYHTiAe2z8-~tgREp7n5~iZXzdpaGXQ7Qt88A~Zggq98G29A9mgFYoZOhD-fKFvPoCgCaXwcse74WPySY6HfI5EQ6Q~D8phFbSyJH1xDM9LUYH6tZb4edd3OXicYLPRLglM5~UN1P~lUtMngpz2jHUh~gUvspMkCkTnlPw5CsZB-0piWhBqB6oP4mTK38CUqC2YJQqMhcErnccAlPWEagKFCig__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Prosecuting Attorney Steve Alme told the Committee on Budget that his office's FY‑26 request centers on keeping prosecutors and support staff competitive and handling a growing misdemeanor workload.

Alme said the office will request a 5% raise for deputy prosecutors to keep entry pay closer to comparable government attorneys. \"That would raise the minimum salary from 93,000 to 98,000,\" Alme said, describing the step as a competitiveness measure to retain trial‑experienced lawyers.

The office also requested three additional clerical positions to handle data entry and court intake tied to the new habitual offender rules for driving without a license. Alme told the Council there are \"about 80 driving without license cases a week on Oahu,\" and fingerprinting and data entry workload has risen because the Police Department now fingerprints convicted defendants at court.

Separately, Alme described a substantial rent increase for the office's Ali'i Place space: rent has risen from approximately $1.6 million in 2023 to about $2.5 million in FY‑26 even though the office's square footage has not increased. The office had sought more space to relieve crowding, and Alme said a new owner offered a favorable lease for roughly half a floor that would let the office spread out; that expansion request was not approved in the administration's budget.

Prosecuting Attorney staff and Chief of Staff Paul Maugh flagged federal funding exposure: the victim/witness program relies substantially on VOCA grants and the office estimates roughly 11 positions are federally funded and could be vulnerable if VOCA or other grant programs are cut. Maugh urged the Council to consider the cost of sustained overtime and the difficulty of substituting general fund dollars for grant funds on short notice.

Alme also briefed the Council on the office's community policing programs, including the Safe and Sound initiative on the West Side and other neighborhood public‑safety collaborations, and said prosecutors are tracking gun‑related crimes and homicide increases in certain neighborhoods even as overall crime declined.

No formal vote was taken; the office's requests will be part of the FY‑26 appropriation process and subject to Council review and the City budget schedule.","The Prosecuting Attorney asked the Council for a 5% raise for deputy prosecutors, additional clerical hires to process habitual driving‑without‑license cases and office expansion after rent rose dramatically for Ali'i Place; the office also flagged federal VOCA funding that supports victim‑witness counselors.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6287578,"City agencies flag possible federal grant cuts; managing director to prioritize positions",2576,4011000,6587000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2549794-043f73c7214618287879ce5f7e5f1209&start=4011&end=6587","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2549794-043f73c7214618287879ce5f7e5f1209/thumbnail_4011000.jpg","/articles/6287578/Honolulu-City/Honolulu-County/Hawaii/City-agencies-flag-possible-federal-grant-cuts-managing-director-to-prioritize-positions","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6287578-4755a69f040f52d57ad91fd10d1ecd62/orig.mp4?Expires=1770436872&Signature=M7wH99tm3q70nxyrdS3nlOg8lMuHJ8qQ2bXbjr5YOfekoRnMkXLcNToVdfD7lpq9WIhup~Qlrq4VC4Ja9Xfo82rM5TAGZJT3ITz-dvdhoxDYf1e~SxTt5vzluSykgzNbs-mYNuGaTZZytJHz6UI6NX3gCCYmKgjKScYwBcbwZq-SeZDVmZbwRPuYnAo6mhPvqZwny48jP87YVmqzBIAV0CzERzC4O1B424hgKXEtbzvgxLQFCp~dIAyFlnJ0lau~~6RDvd9cmZHcloLZNidl52z0JGyS04g6zE~~8OKInuZqoUt1GvyEqu9uxtmDcAEkJ78t1A57tjxdh4DNK3DEYQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Departments across the City told the Committee on Budget that uncertainty about federal grant funding is influencing hiring and contingency planning for FY‑26.

At the close of the Department of Budget and Fiscal Services briefing, Council members asked how the administration would handle a potential loss of federal grants. Director Kawano said the Managing Director's office is cataloguing federally funded grants and \"is prioritizing, all of that grant information,\" with an initial emphasis on preserving positions that support grant programs.

The Department of Emergency Management (DEM) said most of its grant funding comes from FEMA and other recurring programs; DEM acting director Jennifer Walter said the department uses federal grants for personnel and mitigation‑plan projects and that a loss of EMPG or other FEMA nondisaster grants would be particularly disruptive to staffing. Prosecuting Attorney staff and Corporation Counsel officials likewise identified specific federal grants that fund positions: the prosecutor's Victim/Witness counselors rely heavily on VOCA (Victims of Crime Act) funding and the office estimated 11 positions are federally funded and therefore exposed if grants were reduced.

Councilmembers asked departments to plan for scenarios in which federal reimbursements are delayed or reduced. Kawano said the Managing Director intends to use $10,000,000 in a provisional federal contingency in the budget to protect key positions where possible; departments were instructed to submit lists of federally funded positions and priorities.

Departments further noted practical limits to rapid substitution of city funds for federal grants. DEM said it typically uses grant funds to underwrite travel and training and maintains contingency amounts; the Prosecuting Attorney's Office said state victim assistance programs supplement VOCA funds but warned that replacing federal money would be difficult without legislative action or general‑fund transfers.

No formal action was taken; Councilmembers asked for additional written detail and departmental contingency plans as the FY‑26 budget process continues.","Multiple departments told the Council they are monitoring potential cuts or delays to federal grant programs and are preparing contingencies: the Managing Director is prioritizing funding to preserve key positions if federal monies are reduced.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6287582,"Budget Department seeks 44 new staff, major procurement overhaul and $300,000 transit mitigation allocation",1438,90000,1528000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2549794-043f73c7214618287879ce5f7e5f1209&start=90&end=1528","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2549794-043f73c7214618287879ce5f7e5f1209/thumbnail_90000.jpg","/articles/6287582/Honolulu-City/Honolulu-County/Hawaii/Budget-Department-seeks-44-new-staff-major-procurement-overhaul-and-300000-transit-mitigation-allocation","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6287582-e0a8bde98fe668d0fd21964478a7e6bd/orig.mp4?Expires=1770436872&Signature=oCPiTZ9HcHxr3S1bEUE2g3FKhBq7FdgmFzYkrBcJKQoB3Mr5ecMkV9vLMtqKOd-r6l4FZuvBpO5tR1pjk14kv0wTYz8K7BFYRhIVkl-zmLNp0ocZ1HqiDWJzeAIrS~NkjwM1i3tHuiICVyxPx7NTyQes4qWS6US0NUHafEgPRb9pUWbXldrVU6j1xgoLJjnR2L4NYfEdnQ3pUayMPizAUJEysHg3HpmCuvzyB~rFUedIxJqcf34xszLJCGeFxIGRQyOpZj07ItXl2NooL9D7nBJPsUNawBt5lxr4tpk1FFI3GQS8Nep0fWw54isFZPtTugS1YBE-qu-bgo3qy4EKfw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Department of Budget and Fiscal Services on Thursday presented a package of staffing and systems requests aimed at speeding procurement and reducing backlogs citywide.

Director Kawano told the Council the department is proposing a reorganization that would add 44 full‑time positions across divisions, including 10 new staff in the purchasing section, six hires in Treasury for real property tax work and one additional procurement officer. \"We're looking at adding the section that will require, that will require, 7 FTEs,\" Director Kawano said, describing the new purchasing subsection intended to reduce each buyer's caseload.

The requests are part of an effort to reduce procurement bottlenecks that the department says arise from high per‑buyer workloads, unclear specifications from agencies and outdated systems. Purchasing buyers currently average about 80 procurement actions a year; BFS wants to lower that to about 60 by adding staff, an executive assistant for strategic initiatives, a procurement clerk and training resources. The request includes roughly $57,000 for furniture and computer upgrades and $19,500 for a recurring training program with the National Institute of Government Purchasing.

Kawano also proposed an end‑to‑end procurement process study by an outside consultant to assess whether the City's CGI ERP purchasing module should be upgraded or replaced. The department cited peer city initiatives and said the study would inform whether new software and multi‑year work are needed to modernize workflows.

Separately, BFS asked the Council to appropriate $300,000 to the transit construction mitigation fund created by ordinance to help residents affected by rail construction. The department also reiterated a standing capital commitment: a $10 million annual contribution under the City's full funding grant agreement for rail construction.

The budget presentation highlighted several cost pressures: increases in salaries and current expenses, vacancies that BFS expects to reduce from 59 toward 44 filled positions this year, and heavy overtime in real property assessment and accounting functions. Kawano said grant‑funding uncertainty and rising workloads for grant reporting and Section 8 obligations are drivers of overtime and hiring needs.

Councilmembers raised retention and recruitment questions, including proposals for hiring above minimum pay and short‑term incentives funded from vacancy savings. Kawano said the department is piloting hiring‑above‑minimum and considering targeted incentives primarily for procurement and other hard‑to‑fill roles.

The department did not secure immediate Council approval during the briefing; the items were presented as formal budget asks for Council consideration during the FY‑26 appropriation process.","The Department of Budget and Fiscal Services asked the Council for dozens of new positions, including a 10‑person expansion of purchasing staff, a $300,000 allocation for the transit construction mitigation fund and a consultant study to modernize procurement systems.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Corporation Counsel urges keeping judgment & loss appropriation at $9.5M, warns of large pending exposures

Medical Examiner reduces vacancies but CT‑scanner CIP delayed; off‑site refrigeration and generator plans remain

Prosecutor seeks pay increase for deputies, extra clerical help and office space as VOCA exposure prompts staffing concerns

City agencies flag possible federal grant cuts; managing director to prioritize positions

Budget Department seeks 44 new staff, major procurement overhaul and $300,000 transit mitigation allocation