Residents pushing for a choice between a county manager system and a mayoral form of government on the November ballot had a small victory during the Charter Review Commission meeting yesterday. After being deferred from the April 28 meeting, Commissioner
Residents pushing for a choice between a county manager system and a mayoral form of government on the November ballot had a small victory during the Charter Review Commission meeting yesterday.
After being deferred from the April 28 meeting, Commissioner Walter Briant submitted his report, which is worded as a proposed charter amendment, on utilizing a county manager versus a strong mayoral system.
Following public comment on the report, commission members passed a motion to move the report forward for review by the County Attorney’s office, the County Council, the mayor’s office and the Cost Control office.
Commission Chair Jonathan Chun said he still had questions about the county manager system versus the mayoral system.
“It’s no secret and I have said this from the beginning,” Chun said. “I want to know what the problems are (with the mayoral system).”
Chun said that if the commission can’t define the problems with a mayoral system, it can’t justify putting an amendment on the ballot.
“If we put something on the ballot, we must be able to answer questions from the public,” Chun said. “I want to be able to answer questions. I want to know the pros and cons, not what someone thinks is best.”
Glenn Mickens of Kapa‘a feels the county manager option would work because it would be modeled after a successful template from other municipalities across the United States.
“Our system is broken because we have no one effectively managing our government and thus we desperately need to change to the council-manager type,” Mickens said. “Please give the people a choice of a new system by putting it on the ballot.”
Fred Wells of Koloa reminded the commission that the issue has been on the table for two years.
“What you’re being asked to do is respond to a long-term interest of the community to vote on,” Wells said. “It’s time for the commission to take action. Let the people decide what they want to do.”
In Briant’s proposed charter amendment, all the managerial powers of the mayor would be given to a paid, professional county manager, except for the power to appoint members of county boards and commissions.
That power would be given 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 ceremonial duties the mayor would have.
The only requirements for the mayor set forth in the charter are that the candidate must be at least 30 years old and a county resident.
