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Council staff reallocate bridge-inspection funds to Safe Routes design work; administration says inspections not delayed
Summary
A report of fund transfers showed money moved from bridge inspection to highway engineering consulting to advance a Safe Routes to School project; public works staff said regular bridge inspections continued and the reallocation front-loads engineering and permitting to make projects closer to construction-ready.
The Finance Committee reviewed a controller's report of fund transfers on July 9 and closed the file after questions from councilors about a transfer from bridge inspection to highway engineering consulting services.
Councilor McKimbel asked why a sizable transfer moved from bridge inspection funds and whether inspections were delayed. Director of Public Works Steve Houssey and business manager Kelsey Kalua Lewis said the county typically completes about 90 bridge inspections per year; some bridge projects were not ready to execute, and funds were redirected to a Safe Routes to School project at Hilo Union so front-end engineering (permitting and design) could be advanced. Houssey stressed that bridge inspections were not left incomplete as a result of the transfer and that the approach helps produce projects closer to construction readiness when funding becomes available.
The committee voted to close the file on Communication 12.34; the clerk recorded the motion as carried by nine in favor.
