An ambitious proposal creating a powerful county executive has gained some traction in the Cost of Government Commission, but commissioners decided Thursday to refine the measure before taking a formal vote next week.
The proposal would create a county executive position hired and overseen by the County Council who would in turn create county departments and hire and supervise department heads to run them. Dubbed the managing director, this executive would also prepare the administrative budget and perform other functions as authorized by the County Council.
“Subject only to policies adopted or directions given by official actions of the county council, the managing director shall be responsible for the general supervision, direction, administration, and coordination of all the affairs of the county except those conducted by the elected officials of the county,” said Debbie Hecht, a member of the public, who submitted the proposal to the commission.
Hecht said the proposal is modeled on local government in a Nevada county.
Commissioner Neal Herbert picked up Hecht’s recommendation and suggested it to the commission. He pointed to turmoil within recent administrations and rapid turnover of department heads. A managing director who could stay on beyond a four-year mayoral term and keep department heads as well could benefit the county, he said.
“You need to stabilize the management of the county,” Herbert said. “If this proposition is not the answer, then something else should be done.”
Commissioner Shannon Matson seemed inclined to agree.
“You’re potentially swapping some problems for other problems but I think there are some deep-seated problems in our current situation,” Matson said.
Commissioner Ken Obenski was the staunchest opponent of the plan.
“There is no evidence presented, none, that it will in any way reduce cost of government. It would make the mayor and his office redundant. This proposal instantly creates a new layer of bureaucracy and cost,” Obenski said. “Either this or the present system can work or be corrupted depending on the character of those with power. County government does a tremendous job, with a small town size budget, state size responsibility and continent size variation.”
“If your car doesn’t start, you don’t throw it way and buy a new car,” Obenski added. “You get it fixed.”
Commissioner Matthias Kusch agreed.
“I think it’s an overstep from my perspective, Kusch said, adding that “there are some tweaks” that could be made.
Commission Chairman Michael Konowicz said the proposal needs more work before it can be considered for the commission’s report, which they aim to complete by the end of the month.
“We’ve scratched the surface of the issue but I don’t think we’ve done due diligence to see what the costs are,” Konowicz said.
The concept isn’t new.
A similar form of government, the Board of Supervisors, was used by the County of Hawaii for a majority of the 20th century. Kauai considered a transition in 2016.
A transition to a new form of government would require a charter amendment, and perhaps the commission should simply recommend it be considered, rather than spell out the details, Matson suggested.
“We don’t have much to lose in suggesting this issue be investigated further,” Matson said.
Email Nancy Cook Lauer at ncook-lauer@westhawaiitoday.com.
