Golfers, council contingency, mayor’s entertainment spared in new budget

Teed-off golfers were able Monday to persuade the County Council not to dip into Hilo Municipal Golf Course accounts to beef up recycling programs during a long day of tweaking the county’s $438.8 million annual budget.

A council majority also beat back a move to raid Mayor Billy Kenoi’s $23,000 entertainment account to buy Civil Defense radios. Only Puna Councilmen Greggor Ilagan, who introduced the measure, and Danny Paleka voted yes. That amendment was one of two unsuccessful amendments targeting the mayor’s entertainment account.

“The mayor is the chief executive officer of a huge operation,” said Hilo Councilman Aaron Chung, adding that top officials do have entertainment accounts.

He added that investigations into Kenoi’s purchasing card use may very well flow over to entertainment accounts, meaning money probably won’t be spent unless absolutely necessary.

“I think we’re going to have a lot of scrutiny on this item over the next year,” Chung said.

And, the council killed a new position for the Prosecuting Attorney’s Office to handle elder abuse complaints. Kohala Councilwoman Margaret Wille, the sole yes vote, wanted to trim $65,377 from the County Council’s postage budget to make permanent a position currently funded by a state grant.

“These guys are all kicked to the curb,” Wille said of seniors who live in county housing projects.

But council members voted 7-2 to bolster their own district contingency accounts by another $10,000 each by chopping $90,000 from the county Office of Research and Development, nearly halving its budget for alternative energy projects.

The move brings each council member’s contingency account to $90,000 — bringing that budget total to $810,000. Council members have discretion to use the money for special needs in their district or others’ districts.

North Kona Councilwoman Karen Eoff and South Kona/Ka‘u Councilwoman Maile David voted no.

In a win in words if not in deed, the term “Roundup” was stricken from all parts of the budget and replaced with “vegetation control.” The move followed hours of testimony during an earlier budget reading where almost 50 people asked the county to quit using the herbicide that they say is a known carcinogen and harmful to land and water.

“I know this is just a step in the direction the testifiers requested,” said Eoff, adding that it’s an important first step that will open the way for alternatives to be used.

The operating budget, which is about $4 million, or 5.25 percent, higher than this year, goes into effect July 1. The council passed it 8-1, with Wille voting no.

“It’s a fair budget,” said Hamakua Councilwoman Valerie Poindexter. “It’s balanced.”

“The budget is all about resource allocation,” said Chung, reflecting on some of the tough choices that had to be made.

Keiki joined kupuna to testify against the proposal by Wille to move the county toward a zero-waste policy by taking golf course money to pay for transfer station attendants in Hilo, Kona and Kohala. Wille proposed to take $179,565 from the $462,856 golf course budget to fund the attendants.

“Golf means everything to me. I live it, breathe it and dream of it,” said 12-year-old Lacey Uchida. “A $25 monthly card and $1 green fees are in my family’s budget. It’s affordable for kids like me that come from middle and working class families. If those green fees should increase, this won’t be possible and many kids won’t be able to afford to practice.”

Sonny Largusa, 73, echoed Uchida’s concerns. In a voice that broke with emotion, Largusa cited a study he said found golfing adds six to seven years to golfers’ lives.

“By increasing fees you’re decreasing the lifespan of the seniors,” Largusa said.

Wille’s amendment died when she couldn’t get a council member to second it.

A round of council amendments added $49.1 million to Kenoi’s $146.5 million capital improvement budget. The projects on the lengthy list won’t be built, however, until funding is found for them.