Hawaii County finance committee forwards 5-year lease for nine Parks trucks to full council

The Hawaii County Council Committee on Finance on March 18 voted to forward Resolution 96-25 to full council with a favorable recommendation. The measure would authorize a five-year finance lease for nine midsize 4x4 trucks to transport Parks and Recreation staff between base yards and facilities; the committee recorded the department's estimate of about $10,000 in total monthly lease payments.

The resolution matters, committee members said, because Parks and Recreation is short of safe, operable vehicles and the department said many existing units are close to or past safety inspection standards. Joyce Folena, a Leilani Estates resident who testified in support, told the committee, "I am speaking very briefly in support of resolution 96-25 because I enjoy our county parks." Folena said she appreciates parks such as Pohiki Park and urged the council to pass the measure.

Charmaine Felipe, business manager for the Department of Parks and Recreation, described the county's vehicle replacement plan and the immediate need. "This year alone, we are in need of replacing 16 vehicles," Felipe said, adding that nine of those will be leased because the replacements were not in the current budget. Felipe told the committee the department already submitted requests to purchase seven vehicles and proposed leasing the remaining nine.

Committee members questioned financing details and operational impacts. Council member Onishi asked whether leased equipment for the golf course had been evaluated; Felipe said research was ongoing. Finance Director Diane Nakagawa said the lease is a finance lease intended to spread purchase costs over the term and that final lease schedules will be set after procurement: "They still need to go through the bidding process, and then also through the process with the lease the final lease schedule and payments."

Committee members also pressed for clearer cost accounting. A council member noted a discrepancy between the department's estimate and what appeared in committee materials, saying the monthly figure appeared to be $9,000 in one place and $10,000 in another. Felipe and Nakagawa said the $10,000 figure included estimated interest and that the department would confirm final figures after procurement and lease scheduling.

Members emphasized staff safety. The chair read department remarks that some vehicles have advanced deterioration, with floorboards in poor condition; the chair said that presented "a safety concern for our employees." Council members supported the forward recommendation partly on that basis.

The motion to forward Resolution 96-25 to full council passed; the committee recorded the vote as six members in favor and three members excused. The motion was made by Council member Inaba and seconded by Council member Villegas. The committee record lists the item as forwarded to council with a favorable recommendation.

Departments said surplus and decommissioned vehicles would be handled through the county's property management auction process when the automotive division deems them inoperable. Felipe said auctioning surplus vehicles is on the department's priority list.

The resolution will next appear on the full Hawaii County Council docket for final action.