Aloha GREAT Chair U’u-Hodgins and Members of the GREAT Committee:
I write to testify on GREAT-5(3) regarding the procedure being considered for the Mayor’s appointments to the Cost of Government Commission. As noted in the communication from Chair U’u-Hodgins, dated February 9, 2024, the Mayor has offered five (5) individuals for appointment to the Cost of Government Commission (COGC). If eventually confirmed by County Council, all the new members would be members of the Commission until March 31, 2029. I am testifying in my role as the current Chair of the COGC based on the discussions held in past commission meetings but without specific direction from the COGC to do so.
As you know, the Cost of Government Commission consists of nine (9) members appointed by the Mayor and confirmed by Council. As such five (5) members constitutes a quorum of the commission. If Council is unable to confirm any of the proposed appointees from the Mayor, the COGC will be unable to meet as obtaining a quorum will not be possible. We will be in the same position in 2029, as five members of the COGC would term-out and the COGC will again be quorum-less.
In May 2021, COGC wrote to the Maui County Charter Commission asking that commission to address this matter so that the terms of the commissioners of the GOGC would be staggered as required by Charter Section 13-2. Section 13-2 of the Charter provides that the members of all boards and commissions shall serve staggered terms of five years beginning on April 1 and ending on March 31. Staggering terms should have no more than three members leaving the COGC in any given year, rather than losing a quorum-worth’s of membership in any given year.
The impact of the loss of a substantial portion of the COGC membership in any given year is significant because the COGC’s investigations tend to be multi-year efforts. As well, the investigations by the COGC tend to be complex and detailed in nature and require a significant investment of time and resources by the commissioners. The loss of institutional memory when many commissioners leave the COGC has a substantial impact on the work of the commission.
Notably, because the COGC does not have a staggered term process in place, not only are we are losing five (5) commissioners this year, but four (4) commissioners ended their terms at the end of March 2023 due to term limits. Having an entire commission turn over its membership within a single year is less than ideal.
We would recommend that when you consider the five (5) nominated members of the COGC that you ask those appointees if they are willing to serve a reduced term of appointment with the understanding that they could be re-appointed to a full five (5) year term at the completion of their current appointment. We would like to suggest the following:
1. One (1) commissioner be appointed to a two-year term, with his or her term ending in 2026, with the option to renew for a five-year term.
2. Two (2) commissioners be appointed to a three-year term, with their terms ending in 2027, with the option to renew for a five-year term.
3. Two (2) commissioners be appointed to a five-year term, with their terms ending in 2029.
Note that we do not propose that any commissioners be appointed to a four-year term because the COGC currently has four commissioners whose terms expire in 2028.
Thank you for your consideration of my testimony.
Evan Dust, Chair (2023-2024 Term)
Maui County Cost of Government Commission (COGC)
evan.dust.cogc@outlook.com
Aloha GREAT Chair U’u-Hodgins and Members of the GREAT Committee:
I write to testify on GREAT-5(3) regarding the procedure being considered for the Mayor’s appointments to the Cost of Government Commission. As noted in the communication from Chair U’u-Hodgins, dated February 9, 2024, the Mayor has offered five (5) individuals for appointment to the Cost of Government Commission (COGC). If eventually confirmed by County Council, all the new members would be members of the Commission until March 31, 2029. I am testifying in my role as the current Chair of the COGC based on the discussions held in past commission meetings but without specific direction from the COGC to do so.
As you know, the Cost of Government Commission consists of nine (9) members appointed by the Mayor and confirmed by Council. As such five (5) members constitutes a quorum of the commission. If Council is unable to confirm any of the proposed appointees from the Mayor, the COGC will be unable to meet as obtaining a quorum will not be possible. We will be in the same position in 2029, as five members of the COGC would term-out and the COGC will again be quorum-less.
In May 2021, COGC wrote to the Maui County Charter Commission asking that commission to address this matter so that the terms of the commissioners of the GOGC would be staggered as required by Charter Section 13-2. Section 13-2 of the Charter provides that the members of all boards and commissions shall serve staggered terms of five years beginning on April 1 and ending on March 31. Staggering terms should have no more than three members leaving the COGC in any given year, rather than losing a quorum-worth’s of membership in any given year.
The impact of the loss of a substantial portion of the COGC membership in any given year is significant because the COGC’s investigations tend to be multi-year efforts. As well, the investigations by the COGC tend to be complex and detailed in nature and require a significant investment of time and resources by the commissioners. The loss of institutional memory when many commissioners leave the COGC has a substantial impact on the work of the commission.
Notably, because the COGC does not have a staggered term process in place, not only are we are losing five (5) commissioners this year, but four (4) commissioners ended their terms at the end of March 2023 due to term limits. Having an entire commission turn over its membership within a single year is less than ideal.
We would recommend that when you consider the five (5) nominated members of the COGC that you ask those appointees if they are willing to serve a reduced term of appointment with the understanding that they could be re-appointed to a full five (5) year term at the completion of their current appointment. We would like to suggest the following:
1. One (1) commissioner be appointed to a two-year term, with his or her term ending in 2026, with the option to renew for a five-year term.
2. Two (2) commissioners be appointed to a three-year term, with their terms ending in 2027, with the option to renew for a five-year term.
3. Two (2) commissioners be appointed to a five-year term, with their terms ending in 2029.
Note that we do not propose that any commissioners be appointed to a four-year term because the COGC currently has four commissioners whose terms expire in 2028.
Thank you for your consideration of my testimony.
Evan Dust, Chair (2023-2024 Term)
Maui County Cost of Government Commission (COGC)
evan.dust.cogc@outlook.com
SUBJECT: NOMINEES TO BOARDS, COMMITTEES, AND COMMISSIONS
In accordance with Section 13-2(19) of the Charter of the County of Maui County Cultural Resources Commission
As a Maui County taxpayer, it is Unethical and Not Transparent to allow a nominee or a reappointment to serve on a board, committee, or a commission who has filed a lawsuit against the County.
As the council discusses the matters relating to the procedures applicable to nominations to
boards, committees, and commissions, including procedures relating to filling
vacancies for members whose terms expire on March 31, 2024, please ensure the credibility and integrity of nominees and/or reappointments are vetted.
It is imperative to ensure nominees and reappointments are truthful, honest, transparent, and inclusive in the decision-making process as Historic Lahaina Town is rebuilt from the davastation of the August 2024 Wildfires.
Aloha GREAT Chair U’u-Hodgins and Members of the GREAT Committee:
I write to testify on GREAT-5(3) regarding the procedure being considered for the Mayor’s appointments to the Cost of Government Commission. As noted in the communication from Chair U’u-Hodgins, dated February 9, 2024, the Mayor has offered five (5) individuals for appointment to the Cost of Government Commission (COGC). If eventually confirmed by County Council, all the new members would be members of the Commission until March 31, 2029. I am testifying in my role as the current Chair of the COGC based on the discussions held in past commission meetings but without specific direction from the COGC to do so.
As you know, the Cost of Government Commission consists of nine (9) members appointed by the Mayor and confirmed by Council. As such five (5) members constitutes a quorum of the commission. If Council is unable to confirm any of the proposed appointees from the Mayor, the COGC will be unable to meet as obtaining a quorum will not be possible. We will be in the same position in 2029, as five members of the COGC would term-out and the COGC will again be quorum-less.
In May 2021, COGC wrote to the Maui County Charter Commission asking that commission to address this matter so that the terms of the commissioners of the GOGC would be staggered as required by Charter Section 13-2. Section 13-2 of the Charter provides that the members of all boards and commissions shall serve staggered terms of five years beginning on April 1 and ending on March 31. Staggering terms should have no more than three members leaving the COGC in any given year, rather than losing a quorum-worth’s of membership in any given year.
The impact of the loss of a substantial portion of the COGC membership in any given year is significant because the COGC’s investigations tend to be multi-year efforts. As well, the investigations by the COGC tend to be complex and detailed in nature and require a significant investment of time and resources by the commissioners. The loss of institutional memory when many commissioners leave the COGC has a substantial impact on the work of the commission.
Notably, because the COGC does not have a staggered term process in place, not only are we are losing five (5) commissioners this year, but four (4) commissioners ended their terms at the end of March 2023 due to term limits. Having an entire commission turn over its membership within a single year is less than ideal.
We would recommend that when you consider the five (5) nominated members of the COGC that you ask those appointees if they are willing to serve a reduced term of appointment with the understanding that they could be re-appointed to a full five (5) year term at the completion of their current appointment. We would like to suggest the following:
1. One (1) commissioner be appointed to a two-year term, with his or her term ending in 2026, with the option to renew for a five-year term.
2. Two (2) commissioners be appointed to a three-year term, with their terms ending in 2027, with the option to renew for a five-year term.
3. Two (2) commissioners be appointed to a five-year term, with their terms ending in 2029.
Note that we do not propose that any commissioners be appointed to a four-year term because the COGC currently has four commissioners whose terms expire in 2028.
Thank you for your consideration of my testimony.
Evan Dust, Chair (2023-2024 Term)
Maui County Cost of Government Commission (COGC)
evan.dust.cogc@outlook.com
Aloha GREAT Chair U’u-Hodgins and Members of the GREAT Committee:
I write to testify on GREAT-5(3) regarding the procedure being considered for the Mayor’s appointments to the Cost of Government Commission. As noted in the communication from Chair U’u-Hodgins, dated February 9, 2024, the Mayor has offered five (5) individuals for appointment to the Cost of Government Commission (COGC). If eventually confirmed by County Council, all the new members would be members of the Commission until March 31, 2029. I am testifying in my role as the current Chair of the COGC based on the discussions held in past commission meetings but without specific direction from the COGC to do so.
As you know, the Cost of Government Commission consists of nine (9) members appointed by the Mayor and confirmed by Council. As such five (5) members constitutes a quorum of the commission. If Council is unable to confirm any of the proposed appointees from the Mayor, the COGC will be unable to meet as obtaining a quorum will not be possible. We will be in the same position in 2029, as five members of the COGC would term-out and the COGC will again be quorum-less.
In May 2021, COGC wrote to the Maui County Charter Commission asking that commission to address this matter so that the terms of the commissioners of the GOGC would be staggered as required by Charter Section 13-2. Section 13-2 of the Charter provides that the members of all boards and commissions shall serve staggered terms of five years beginning on April 1 and ending on March 31. Staggering terms should have no more than three members leaving the COGC in any given year, rather than losing a quorum-worth’s of membership in any given year.
The impact of the loss of a substantial portion of the COGC membership in any given year is significant because the COGC’s investigations tend to be multi-year efforts. As well, the investigations by the COGC tend to be complex and detailed in nature and require a significant investment of time and resources by the commissioners. The loss of institutional memory when many commissioners leave the COGC has a substantial impact on the work of the commission.
Notably, because the COGC does not have a staggered term process in place, not only are we are losing five (5) commissioners this year, but four (4) commissioners ended their terms at the end of March 2023 due to term limits. Having an entire commission turn over its membership within a single year is less than ideal.
We would recommend that when you consider the five (5) nominated members of the COGC that you ask those appointees if they are willing to serve a reduced term of appointment with the understanding that they could be re-appointed to a full five (5) year term at the completion of their current appointment. We would like to suggest the following:
1. One (1) commissioner be appointed to a two-year term, with his or her term ending in 2026, with the option to renew for a five-year term.
2. Two (2) commissioners be appointed to a three-year term, with their terms ending in 2027, with the option to renew for a five-year term.
3. Two (2) commissioners be appointed to a five-year term, with their terms ending in 2029.
Note that we do not propose that any commissioners be appointed to a four-year term because the COGC currently has four commissioners whose terms expire in 2028.
Thank you for your consideration of my testimony.
Evan Dust, Chair (2023-2024 Term)
Maui County Cost of Government Commission (COGC)
evan.dust.cogc@outlook.com
SUBJECT: NOMINEES TO BOARDS, COMMITTEES, AND COMMISSIONS
In accordance with Section 13-2(19) of the Charter of the County of Maui County Cultural Resources Commission
As a Maui County taxpayer, it is Unethical and Not Transparent to allow a nominee or a reappointment to serve on a board, committee, or a commission who has filed a lawsuit against the County.
As the council discusses the matters relating to the procedures applicable to nominations to
boards, committees, and commissions, including procedures relating to filling
vacancies for members whose terms expire on March 31, 2024, please ensure the credibility and integrity of nominees and/or reappointments are vetted.
It is imperative to ensure nominees and reappointments are truthful, honest, transparent, and inclusive in the decision-making process as Historic Lahaina Town is rebuilt from the davastation of the August 2024 Wildfires.