Residents continued their push last night for a November Charter Review Commission ballot item offering a choice between the mayoral form of government and a county manager system. But after much confusion on the subject, a report on utilizing a
Residents continued their push last night for a November Charter Review Commission ballot item offering a choice between the mayoral form of government and a county manager system.
But after much confusion on the subject, a report on utilizing a county manager versus a strong mayoral system won’t be heard until the next Charter Review Commission meeting in May.
According to the commission’s agenda, Commissioner Walter Briant was scheduled to give a report on a county manager system versus a mayoral system.
Because Briant worded the report as an amendment — a procedural error — commission members placed a motion to receive the report and put it on the agenda for the next meeting.
Commission Chair Jonathan Chun said that in order for the public to properly comment on the issue, the report has to be made public first.
Though the report hadn’t yet been made public, Chun allowed residents in attendance to comment.
Glenn Mickens of Kapa‘a said that his Ohana Kaua‘i group sent out questionnaires to members in 2006 asking if they would prefer a county manager system over the existing system of a mayor and county council.
“All but two of the 100 responses preferred the county manager type,” Mickens said. “Since 60 percent of the municipalities across the United States are using a county manager type of government with a great deal of success, we felt it necessary to have this issue put on the ballot and let the people decide if this is what they want.”
Marge Dente of Koloa said she was disappointed the commission wasn’t addressing a amendment last night.
“If we had a county manager, the commission would be operating more efficiently,” she said. “It’s important that the amendment go forward this November.”
Dente said the county needs someone who is properly trained to care for Kaua‘i.
“I have no doubt the current mayor cares for Kaua‘i,” she said.
“We all care for Kaua‘i. As laypeople we can’t take care of Kaua‘i. That’s why we need a county manager.”
But Anne Punohu of Kalaheo said that some simply do not understand the county manager system.
“We need clarification of the benefits of it so we can make a good decision,” Punohu said.
Mickens said the current mayor position is merely a political figurehead and lacks the credentials necessary to handle a budget over $220 million.
“Where are the credentials for the mayor?” Mickens said.
The only requirements for mayor set forth in the charter are that the candidate must be at least 30 years old and a county resident.
The proposed charter amendment would give all the managerial powers of the mayor to a paid, professional county manager except for the power to appoint members of county boards and commissions.
That power would be granted to the County Council.
The County Council would also elect a member of the council to serve as chair and have the title of mayor. The council would then decide what non-managerial and/or ceremonial duties the mayor would have.
“We feel the system is broken and we’re not getting anything accomplished,” Mickens said.
“The only way we’re going to change the system is to hire a county manager.”
Last month, Chun said it would be unlikely for voters to see a county manager amendment on the November ballot.
Last night, Chun said he wanted more information on the issue, including costs and pros and cons.
The next meeting of the Charter Review Commission will be May 19, at 4 p.m.
• Rachel Gehrlein, staff writer, can be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 225) or rgehrlein@kauaipubco.com
