FY2025-2026 Budget Reviews: Parks & Rec, County Attorney, Liquor Control – April 1, 2025

The Finance and Economic Development Committee continued its departmental budget reviews for Fiscal Year 2025-2026 on April 1, 2025, at 9:00 a.m. in the Council Chambers. The meeting covered the Department of Parks and Recreation, the Office of the County Attorney, and the Department of Liquor Control. No public testimony was offered. Members reviewed proposed budgets, discussed operational challenges, and raised questions about staffing, equipment, and emerging issues such as the coconut rhinoceros beetle infestation.

Department of Parks and Recreation

• Administration: Proposed changes include two new janitor positions and a project manager for facilities maintenance, plus equipment (12-yard dump truck, golf course aerator for $35,000). The golf fund revenue increased by $223,000 due to higher non-resident play.
• Fiscal: Security services for the Historic County Building and Civic Center are currently unfunded after a contract lapse; increased funding is requested for 6–8 hour shifts. The state revolving fund loan for cesspool conversion ($109,000 annually) and the KSHCP seabird mitigation payment ($425,000/year for 30 years) were discussed. Councilmember Holland requested performance reports on the seabird program.
• Recreation: Summer Fun program will operate at six neighborhood centers (Kīkaha, Panopio, Kalaheo, Koloa, Līhuʻe, Kapaʻa, Anahola Clubhouse). Recruitment is open for workers; council members offered to help promote. The budget for youth meals/snacks dropped from $54,000 to $15,000 due to DOE food service changes.
• Facilities Maintenance: Overtime increase ($60,000) aimed at adding separate standby phones for plumbers and electricians to improve after-hours response. A six-year unfilled electronics trades position is currently filled by a short-term hire.
• Parks Maintenance: A reorganization of the division was finalized on March 16, 2025, consolidating mower operator duties into park caretaker job descriptions. Councilmember Holland raised concerns about the coconut rhinoceros beetle (CRB) mitigation budget of $50,000, calling it insufficient given the spread. Councilmember Chock noted that drone treatments and mulch management are critical; the county is collaborating with Public Works and the Department of Agriculture. Councilmember Kuali‘i suggested a dedicated position or contract for CRB response.
• Convention Hall: A $50,000 special project for restoring a 1927 Steinway baby grand piano (worth over $100,000) was proposed for its 100th anniversary in 2027.
• Golf Course: Water costs have doubled due to dry conditions and use of fresh water (R2 wastewater not available). Two of three irrigation pumps are operational; one is being repaired. The motocross group at the site is self-funding portable toilets; council members expressed interest in allocating future funds for water access.

Office of the County Attorney

• Overview: The office has 15 attorneys (10 on-island, 5 off-island). The legal backlog has decreased from 90 to 75 open matters. A salary commission proposal to offer student loan repayment for attorneys is under consideration to aid recruitment/retention.
• Budget: Moderate increases requested for travel and laptops (six laptops for replacement cycle). The office is actively recruiting for one vacant attorney position.

Department of Liquor Control

• Status: The commission is hiring a new director; a permitted interaction group will score essays, with a 30-day posting window. Two of four liquor control investigator trainee positions are vacant; the next exam is April 19, 2025. No internal candidates for director, but two investigators are interested. The department continues to cover all licensed premises with reduced staff.
• Revenue: Liquor sales reached $176 million last year, continuing to rise even in a slow economy. A bill to allow direct shipping of beer and distilled spirits to the mainland was deferred in the legislature.

Key Outcomes

• No votes were taken; the committee recessed at approximately 4:30 p.m. and will reconvene on April 3, 2025, at 9:00 a.m. to review the Fire Department, Emergency Management Agency, Police Department, and Office of the Prosecuting Attorney.
• Council members requested additional information on several items: seabird mitigation performance report, coconut rhinoceros beetle response plan, breakdown of weed control and fertilizer contracts, and details on the state revolving fund loan for cesspool conversion.
• The committee expressed support for exploring additional funding for coconut rhinoceros beetle mitigation in the supplemental budget, and for promoting summer fun worker recruitment.