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Finance Committee forwards housing vouchers, audits and public-safety spending items to full council; nine votes in favor on most measures
Summary
The Hawaii County Committee on Finance voted to forward several budget and administrative measures — including project-based housing vouchers, an ERS audit agreement, and two police-related appropriations — to the full County Council with favorable recommendations; most measures passed committee unanimously (recorded as nine ayes).
The Hawaii County Committee on Finance on Thursday forwarded multiple bills and resolutions to the full County Council with favorable recommendations.
Key votes and outcomes recorded in committee:
- Resolution 301-25: Authorize payment of funds in later fiscal years to enter into multiyear housing assistance payment contracts for project-based vouchers at Olikahi Apartments, Hale Kikaha and Kahua Hale Oʻolovini. Committee forwarded the resolution to council with a favorable recommendation; clerk recorded nine ayes. The resolution states an annual cost of up to $192,022 and a term of up to 20 years for the proposed voucher placements.
- Resolution 302-25: Authorize the mayor to enter into a three-year agreement with the State of Hawaii, Office of the Auditor for an audit of the employer allocation schedule of the Employee's Retirement System to meet GASB 68 reporting requirements. Committee forwarded with a favorable recommendation; clerk recorded nine ayes. Approximate total cost cited was $14,400.
- Bill 80 (operating budget amendment): Increase the federal grants account for the Justice Assistance Grant (special response team capability enhancement) and appropriate $129,028 for police training, travel, specialized gear and equipment. Committee forwarded Bill 80 to council with a favorable recommendation; clerk recorded nine ayes.
- Bill 81 (operating budget amendment): Increase federal grant revenues and appropriate funds to the improved forensic services account for a total appropriation of $120,000 to purchase a gas chromatography–mass spectrometry instrument for the Hilo crime lab. Committee forwarded Bill 81 to council with a favorable recommendation; clerk recorded nine ayes.
- Communications and reports: The committee closed the files on Communications 24.17 and 24.18 (reports of change orders authorized July 2025) and Communication 73.8 (monthly budget status report for period ending April 30, 2025). The clerk recorded nine ayes for Communications 24.18 and 73.8; Communication 24.17 was closed with eight ayes and one absent after discussion with DEM staff.
Several items drew brief discussion before forwarding. Housing Administrator Kehau Acosta described project-based vouchers as HUD-funded section 8 vouchers assigned to units rather than individuals; the program can allocate up to 20% of the voucher portfolio (with an additional 10% possible for special populations) and terms can be up to 20 years and renewable. Police department staff described Bill 81’s instrument as intended for the Hilo crime lab; committee members requested follow-up details from the police department on the equipment and lab capacity.
All forwarded measures will appear on the next full County Council agenda for final action.
