WAILUKU, Hawaii – Today, the Council adopted Resolution 14-98, authorizing the Council Chair to contract for a performance audit of the County’s Solid Waste Division, Department of Environmental Management.
The resolution states the solid waste division is responsible for providing solid waste collection, disposal and diversion services essential to maintaining the sanitary conditions and environmental health of the County. It further states that a review of the division’s current processes and procedures would benefit the County and the public.
Councilmember Elle Cochran, chair of the Infrastructure and Environmental Management Committee, introduced the resolution saying “it has been difficult working with the department,” and that she hopes the audit would provide solutions to the Council.
Cochran welcomed the Council’s support for the resolution just days after the Budget and Finance Committee deliberated on the department’s decision to eliminate holiday trash pickup and reduce landfill hours claiming “lack of resources.”
Councilmember Mike White, chair of the Budget and Finance Committee, says the Council approved 99 percent of the division’s Fiscal Year 2015 budget and “the funds to maintain trash service are there.”
In a Sept. 2 press release by Office of the Mayor, the mayor welcomed an audit of the department.
Bills passed on first reading today include:
- Bill 61 (2014), a budget amendment to facilitate Matson Foundation’s $750 donation to the Maui County Nutrition Program.
- Bill 62 (2014), a budget amendment to add $5000 to the Office of the Mayor for the Hawaii State Commission on the Status of Women grant.
- Bill 63 (2014), amendments to authorized sign regulations in Maui County to allow flexibility for businesses.
- Bill 64 (2014), relating to alarm system regulations and requirements to register alarms to reduce danger, avoid annoyance of false alarms.
- Bill 65 (2014), relating to the definition of infill development and exemptions from the Water Availability Policy.
The next Council meeting is scheduled on Sept. 19 at 9 a.m.
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