Council committee reports out two DTS transfers to buy vehicles and close legacy receivables

The Honolulu City Council Committee on Budget reported out two Department of Transportation Services measures during its July meeting. Deputy Director John Noichi testified the first resolution would move up to $50,000 within the highway fund from current expenses to equipment to cover receivables created in fiscal years 2016 through 2022 for which federal grant funding did not materialize. Noichi described the action as an internal repayment to correct the city’s books.

The committee also reported out a second DTS resolution authorizing a transfer of $42,630.94 within the transportation performance and development activity from current expenses to equipment to furnish and deliver a passenger vehicle for the division. Noichi told the committee the vehicle will support the division’s field work that produces studies used by transportation engineers for safety and street improvements.

In-person and remote testimony included support from Donald Sakamoto, who said he backed the transfers so transportation has appropriate funds. No questions were raised that altered the proposed transfers. The chair recommended both resolutions be reported out for adoption; the committee recorded no objections and ordered them reported.

Neither measure included procurement vendor names, delivery schedules, or additional programmatic details in committee. Deputy director Noichi said the $50,000 transfer corrects prior expectations of federal funding that did not materialize; the $42,630.94 transfer is to purchase a vehicle specifically for the transportation performance and development division.