Finance Committee Budget Review: Fire, KEMA, Police, Prosecuting Attorney – April 6, 2026
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Finance and Economic Development Committee Budget Review – April 6, 2026
The Finance and Economic Development Committee held a day-long budget review for fiscal year 2026-2027 for the Fire Department, Kauai Emergency Management Agency (KEMA), Police Department, and Office of the Prosecuting Attorney. The meeting included public testimony, detailed departmental presentations, and extensive discussion on staffing, equipment, operational challenges, and community safety. No formal votes were taken; instead, council members directed several follow-up requests for data and clarification.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Bruce Hart, a member of the public, spoke about the importance of accountability in government budgeting. He expressed support for the committee's work and emphasized that the greatest duty of elected officials is to protect liberties. He did not specifically address any department's budget.
Fire Department Discussion
- Chief's Overview: The Fire Department's FY27 budget reflects a 9.7% increase, driven largely by apparatus replacement and equipment. The department outlined three priorities: personnel readiness, modernizing apparatus, and strengthening response to emerging risks (wildfire, climate change).
- Helicopter Rescues: Council members requested data on the number of helicopter rescues and the cost of operating the helicopter. They noted that many rescues occur on state land and suggested seeking reimbursement from the state. The chief agreed to provide written data on rescue counts and total helicopter costs.
- Water Tankers: The department will have five water tankers island-wide, improving fire flow protection in areas with inadequate hydrants.
- Ocean Safety: The Ocean Safety Bureau reported on successful rescues and a new internship program. Council members discussed the low salary of ocean safety officers ($52,000 entry-level) and the fact that they are not classified as first responders. The department noted a state resolution to recognize them as first responders has passed the legislature.
- Training: The training bureau outlined specialized training for wildfire, confined space, and helicopter water ditching. The $31,000 annual cost for helicopter underwater egress training was highlighted as critical.
- Budget Lines: Council members questioned the high cost of fire apparatus (now $1.6 million per truck) and asked about the electronics control unit failures. The chief explained the replacement schedule and supply chain delays (now 3 years for a fire engine).
KEMA Discussion
- CERT & Community Resilience: KEMA introduced a $20,000 grant for CERT startup. Council members discussed the need for more active CERT teams and the possibility of partnering with organizations like Vibrant Hawaii. KEMA noted that only one CERT team (Princeville) is currently active.
- Cybersecurity: KEMA does not have a dedicated cybersecurity specialist but works with the IT department. A federal cybersecurity grant is pending. Council members asked about collaboration with KIUC on cybersecurity.
- Disaster Contingency Fund: The $350,000 contingency fund is used to cover costs between disasters and reimbursement from FEMA. Council members expressed concern about potential federal funding cuts and global economic instability.
- Grant & Aid Line Items: Council members strongly advocated for naming specific partners (Civil Air Patrol, Red Cross) in the budget rather than leaving them as open grants, to ensure continuity of funding. KEMA explained that the Red Cross was removed because of past difficulties executing agreements, but council members indicated they would propose amendments to restore the specific names.
Police Department Discussion
- Staffing & Recruitment: The department has 50 vacancies out of 235 authorized positions. Recruitment efforts have increased applicants by 52% after a new marketing campaign (videos, social media, TV ads). A new cadet program for 18-year-olds will create a pipeline to sworn positions. The 12-hour shift schedule has reduced vacant shifts from over 100 per month to a handful.
- Vacancies: Many sworn positions (captain, lieutenant, sergeant, police officer) have been vacant for long periods. Council members noted that fully funding long-vacant positions pads the budget and suggested partial funding if promotions are not imminent. The chief stated that temporary assignment (TA) personnel fill some roles, drawing on those salaries.
- Dispatchers: Eight dispatcher positions are vacant; recruitment has been difficult. The department is repricing the entry-level position and has seen a 207% increase in applicants after marketing. Council members asked about federal legislation to reclassify dispatchers as first responders.
- Search & Rescue: The department maintains an MOU with KSR, but community hunters and hikers have expressed frustration about not being included. The council clarified that the command post system allows for inclusion of experienced volunteers if they check in.
- Data on Arrests & Convictions: Council members requested detailed data on arrests, referrals to the prosecutor, and convictions. They noted a large discrepancy between the number of cases referred (e.g., 400 violent crimes) and convictions (28). The police chief committed to providing updated data.
- Abandoned Vehicles: The process has been shortened to about 7 days from tagging to tow. Council members asked about electric vehicle batteries and vehicles on state land. The department clarified that state agencies are responsible for their own jurisdiction.
Office of the Prosecuting Attorney Discussion
- Budget Overview: The budget is relatively flat, with increases only in salaries and benefits. Two deputy prosecutor and three legal clerk positions are vacant. The office has reclassified legal clerk positions to entry-level to attract applicants.
- Grant Funding: The office administers a $1 million community grant for mental health and substance abuse programs. Council members asked about funding for a residential drug treatment center; the prosecutor noted that the organization applied but did not complete required paperwork. Council members suggested a dedicated line item for that purpose.
- Data Discrepancies: The prosecutor explained that the numbers of cases referred by police appear higher than those received by her office because of duplicate counting (e.g., bench warrants, multiple charges from one incident). She agreed to provide a written explanation and collaborate on a unified data request.
- Case Management Software: The current software is expensive ($118,000/year) and does not easily produce statistics. The office is exploring a new system that would integrate with police data and provide better reporting.
Key Outcomes
- Fire Department: Council directed the department to provide written data on helicopter rescue counts, total helicopter costs, and a breakdown of rescues on state vs. county land. No budget adjustments were made.
- KEMA: Council indicated they will propose amendments to the budget to specifically name the Civil Air Patrol and Red Cross as grant recipients, rather than leaving them as open-ended grants. The CERT startup grant was supported.
- Police Department: Council will submit a formal data request for arrest and conviction statistics for fiscal years 2021-2025, broken down by crime category and disposition. The department will also provide information on the subsidized vehicle program and the impact of the 12-hour shift. No budget cuts were made, but some council members suggested partial funding for long-vacant positions.
- Prosecuting Attorney: Council will request a detailed breakdown of the “all others” category in case referrals and a reconciliation of the discrepancy between police and prosecutor counts. The prosecutor will provide written responses within the month.
- Next Steps: The committee recessed to reconvene on April 7, 2026, to review budgets for the Department of Finance, Office of Economic Development, and Planning Department.
Meeting Transcript
Okay, good morning. I'd like to call back to order the Finance and Economic Development Committee and the fiscal year 2026-2027 departmental budget reviews. Let the record reflect that all members are present on the schedule today. We'll be hearing from fire department fire department, uh emergency managed emergency management agency, police department, and the office of the prosecuting attorney. As we do each morning, we'll take public testimony. Is there anyone in the public wishing to testify? Oh, Bruce. Good morning. Morning. For the record, Bruce Hart. Um Harold, do I get three or six minutes? Three. Three, uh, and then I'll see if anybody else wants to testify. If nobody else wants to testify, you'll get another three. Okay. Okay, so bear with me. Uh I have a point to make, but within the Christian faith, uh, there are certain um standard operating procedures. And one of them is accountability. I'm expected to hold my brothers and my sisters accountable to the word of God. I expect them to hold me accountable. And I don't take offense at that. The word is very explicit about this subject. We're not to take offense. It's a difficult world at times, and there are temptations, and so a brother without really any apparent reason may ask me certain accountability questions. Now, within the budget system, I've sat through enough budget meetings that I think I understand the procedure fairly well. And I think you're doing a good job. And you've kind of got an SOP that you follow. And every department has its goals, uh, its duties, its responsibilities. Uh they have what they want to accomplish for the coming year. Which will reflect how they're going to do. That's your first three minutes. Anyone else in the audience wishing to testify on fire chemo police or office of the prosecuting attorney? You can have your next three minutes. Thank you. And so again, I think that this is the duty and responsibility of elected representatives. I said once sitting here in this chair that I believe that the greatest responsibility, and it would be for me if I was a council member, the greatest responsibility or duty of a council member of any elected representative of the people is to protect their liberties. Without the liberties, we don't have the government that we are so blessed to have. Again, we're not, I don't want this what I'm proposing to be something like I'm going after a department head. I'm not going after anybody. It's the entire office or department, and we're trying to get an idea of whether or not they're accomplishing with the money within budget what we expect them to do, what they've told us they're going to do. And there is some question as to whether there would be accountability in regards to an elected representative. Of course there is. Thank you. Thank you, Bruce. Anyone else in the audience wishing to testify? If not, um we'll get on with our day. Our first department up is fire department. And Chief, we'll enter. We'll let you go over your synopsis first. Well, ask any questions on the synopsis, and then we'll go into low budget.
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