Regarding: Proposed Bill Amending the Fiscal Year 2025 Budget for the County of Maui, Appendix A, Part II, Homeowner Programs Revolving Fund, 'Ohana Assistance Program
Date: December 15, 2024
Thank you for the opportunity to provide testimony regarding the proposed amendment to the Fiscal Year 2025 Budget. While the goal of assisting homeowners through the 'Ohana Assistance Program is commendable, this proposal highlights recurring issues of mismanagement and lack of oversight within both the Department of Housing and this Council. These ongoing failures continue to undermine public trust and jeopardize the effectiveness of programs meant to support the residents of Maui.
The decision to encumber funds for the 'Ohana Assistance Program via a contract rather than a grant is not a minor oversight. It is a fundamental error that demonstrates the Department of Housing's inability to anticipate and resolve legal or procedural issues before they impact the community. The funds, originally intended to provide direct assistance, were mishandled and ultimately restricted to administrative costs for Lokahi Pacific. This error delayed the delivery of aid to families in need, causing unnecessary financial strain on already vulnerable households. It also reflects poorly on the County’s ability to manage taxpayer dollars responsibly.
This Council, as the body responsible for oversight and budget approval, must also be held accountable. Budgetary decisions in recent years have demonstrated a pattern of reactive rather than proactive governance, where mistakes are addressed after the fact without implementing meaningful safeguards to prevent them in the future. The continued approval of vague or incomplete proposals, such as this amendment, signals an ongoing lack of diligence. This amendment seeks to re-encumber funds without addressing the systemic issues that caused the initial failure, perpetuating a cycle of mismanagement and eroding public confidence.
Transparency and accountability remain glaring deficiencies in this process. There has been no detailed explanation of how the re-encumbered funds will be allocated, particularly how much will go toward administrative costs versus direct assistance. The public deserves clarity on how their money is being spent. Furthermore, there has been no indication that the Department of Housing or this Council has implemented measures to ensure similar mistakes are not repeated in future fiscal years. The absence of clear safeguards leaves room for continued inefficiencies and, potentially, misuse of funds.
This situation reflects broader issues in how Maui County handles its budgetary responsibilities. Time and again, funds are allocated or reallocated with little oversight or accountability, and public dollars are squandered while residents bear the consequences. These repeated failures, whether through negligence or lack of competence, ultimately harm the community by delaying services, increasing costs, and fueling public skepticism.
To restore trust and improve accountability, I urge the Council to require greater transparency and stricter oversight measures for the Department of Housing. A detailed, public report on the allocation of the $2,718,266, including a precise breakdown of administrative versus program costs, is essential. An independent audit of contracts and grants managed by the department should also be conducted to assess compliance and identify systemic issues. Furthermore, the Council must commit to improved scrutiny of budget proposals, ensuring that similar missteps are caught and addressed before funds are allocated.
The 'Ohana Assistance Program was created to help homeowners, but the mismanagement of its funding has delayed assistance and left residents waiting for relief. This is unacceptable, and it is the responsibility of both the Department of Housing and this Council to address the failures that brought us here. Only by implementing concrete measures to improve oversight and transparency can Maui County fulfill its obligations to its residents and ensure taxpayer dollars are used effectively.
Mahalo for your time and consideration.
Regarding: Proposed Bill Amending the Fiscal Year 2025 Budget for the County of Maui, Appendix A, Part II, Homeowner Programs Revolving Fund, 'Ohana Assistance Program
Date: December 15, 2024
Thank you for the opportunity to provide testimony regarding the proposed amendment to the Fiscal Year 2025 Budget. While the goal of assisting homeowners through the 'Ohana Assistance Program is commendable, this proposal highlights recurring issues of mismanagement and lack of oversight within both the Department of Housing and this Council. These ongoing failures continue to undermine public trust and jeopardize the effectiveness of programs meant to support the residents of Maui.
The decision to encumber funds for the 'Ohana Assistance Program via a contract rather than a grant is not a minor oversight. It is a fundamental error that demonstrates the Department of Housing's inability to anticipate and resolve legal or procedural issues before they impact the community. The funds, originally intended to provide direct assistance, were mishandled and ultimately restricted to administrative costs for Lokahi Pacific. This error delayed the delivery of aid to families in need, causing unnecessary financial strain on already vulnerable households. It also reflects poorly on the County’s ability to manage taxpayer dollars responsibly.
This Council, as the body responsible for oversight and budget approval, must also be held accountable. Budgetary decisions in recent years have demonstrated a pattern of reactive rather than proactive governance, where mistakes are addressed after the fact without implementing meaningful safeguards to prevent them in the future. The continued approval of vague or incomplete proposals, such as this amendment, signals an ongoing lack of diligence. This amendment seeks to re-encumber funds without addressing the systemic issues that caused the initial failure, perpetuating a cycle of mismanagement and eroding public confidence.
Transparency and accountability remain glaring deficiencies in this process. There has been no detailed explanation of how the re-encumbered funds will be allocated, particularly how much will go toward administrative costs versus direct assistance. The public deserves clarity on how their money is being spent. Furthermore, there has been no indication that the Department of Housing or this Council has implemented measures to ensure similar mistakes are not repeated in future fiscal years. The absence of clear safeguards leaves room for continued inefficiencies and, potentially, misuse of funds.
This situation reflects broader issues in how Maui County handles its budgetary responsibilities. Time and again, funds are allocated or reallocated with little oversight or accountability, and public dollars are squandered while residents bear the consequences. These repeated failures, whether through negligence or lack of competence, ultimately harm the community by delaying services, increasing costs, and fueling public skepticism.
To restore trust and improve accountability, I urge the Council to require greater transparency and stricter oversight measures for the Department of Housing. A detailed, public report on the allocation of the $2,718,266, including a precise breakdown of administrative versus program costs, is essential. An independent audit of contracts and grants managed by the department should also be conducted to assess compliance and identify systemic issues. Furthermore, the Council must commit to improved scrutiny of budget proposals, ensuring that similar missteps are caught and addressed before funds are allocated.
The 'Ohana Assistance Program was created to help homeowners, but the mismanagement of its funding has delayed assistance and left residents waiting for relief. This is unacceptable, and it is the responsibility of both the Department of Housing and this Council to address the failures that brought us here. Only by implementing concrete measures to improve oversight and transparency can Maui County fulfill its obligations to its residents and ensure taxpayer dollars are used effectively.
Mahalo for your time and consideration.
Edward Codelia