Special Meeting of the Committee on Finance - 2026-04-15
Meeting Intelligence Preview
Meeting Summary
The Special Meeting of the Committee on Finance on April 15, 2026 covered budget presentations from multiple county departments including Police, Prosecuting Attorney, Animal Control, Fire, Corporation Counsel, Information Technology, and Liquor Control. Key discussions centered on the proposed Keau Police and Fire Station co-location project, staffing challenges across departments, mental health service gaps, dangerous dog enforcement coordination, and cybersecurity needs. The Police Department reported 70 sworn vacancies (15%) and highlighted the new 17,127 square foot emergency call center on Moholy Street, while the Fire Department announced the March 1st launch of Medic 21 in Makale and promoted 57 personnel during fiscal year 2026.
Key Decisions (7)
Police Department Budget Presentation
Police Chief Reid Mahona presented the fiscal year 2027 budget of approximately $74 million (75% salaries/wages). Department has 664 positions with 70 sworn vacancies (15%) and 35 civilian vacancies. Key initiatives include forming a recruitment team, creating a cyber crime unit, and maintaining CALEA accreditation.
Prosecuting Attorney Budget Presentation
Prosecutor Kelvin Walgen presented status quo budget of $16 million with $3 million in grant funds. Office processed approximately 27,000 charges referred with nearly 20,000 accepted for prosecution. Resolved 34 lawsuits through dismissal or settlement and hired four attorneys under limited license reciprocity pilot program.
Animal Control Budget Presentation
Interim Administrator Charisse Emmons presented $4.4 million status quo budget. Department responded to 3,303 calls for field service with 90% response rate for vicious dog calls within 2 hours. Currently has 16 vacancies out of 48 positions (33% vacancy rate). Identified Ocean View Estates and Pahoa as highest call volume areas for dangerous dogs.
Fire Department Budget Presentation
Temporary Fire Chief Dan Volpe presented fiscal year 2027 budget of $87,495,680 (82% S&W, 8% equipment, 10% OCE). Department has 630 positions with approximately 75 vacancies. Launched Medic 21 in Makale on March 1st and promoted 57 personnel. Received $1 million addition for portable radio replacement.
Corporation Counsel Budget Presentation
Corporation Counsel Rena Schoen presented budget of $6,087,388 with slight increases in salary/wages and OCE. Office completed 5,790 requests for legal services, provided 2,640 requests for legal representation, and conducted 42 training sessions for 351 employees. Currently has 8 vacancies including 1 attorney vacancy.
Information Technology Budget Presentation
Director Corey Stone presented DIT budget with increases in salary/wages due to negotiated increases. Department has 40 funded positions with 13 vacancies at time of budget submission, now filling positions with 2 new hires starting May 1st. Migrated over 2,000 mailboxes to cloud and deployed 148 computers/laptops countywide.
Liquor Control Budget Presentation
Director Stacey Walgen presented budget of approximately $2.6 million. Department processed 39 liquor license applications, trained 1,174 liquor industry workers through 81 liquor card classes, and conducted 1,884 inspections per month. Has 20 positions with 2 vacancies currently being filled.
Development Activity (7)
New Emergency Call Center
17,127 square foot unified call center housing dispatch for police and fire departments
Keau Police and Fire Station
Co-located police and fire station to replace inadequate existing facilities. Fire station design based on Kapolei, Oahu model. Multiple planning meetings scheduled with administration.
Central Fire Station Repurposing
Repurposing old Central Fire Station into training, fire prevention, and logistics resource center. DPW initial project completion expected September 2026.
New Central Fire Station
New central fire station with potential public safety complex co-located with police. Property identified through executive order. Design funding anticipated for fiscal year 2028.
East Hawaii Animal Control Facility Improvements
Office trailer installation, cesspool conversion, and facility improvements. $20-23 million appropriated. Office trailer in permitting, other pieces in design.
West Hawaii Animal Control Office Trailer
Office trailer installation and cesspool conversion prioritized for completion by end of calendar year 2026
Fire Department Maintenance Shop Relocation
New maintenance facility for fire department fleet of 275 vehicles. Fair share funds earmarked for design phase. Awaiting BLNR approval for land lease agreement.
Market Signals (5)
Housing Demand
Fire Chief noted Paradise Park area transformed from few houses and ag lots to full blown subdivisions over past 20 years, indicating continued residential growth pressure in Puna district.
Infrastructure
Multiple departments cited critical infrastructure gaps including lack of mental health facilities, inadequate jail capacity at Hawaii Community Correctional Center (most overcrowded in state), and no correctional facility on west side of island.
Labor
All departments reported significant recruitment and retention challenges, with Police at 15% sworn vacancy rate, Animal Control at 33% vacancy rate, and Fire Department with 75 vacancies out of 630 positions.
Sentiment
Police Chief expressed concern about downtown Hilo business district deterioration and need for stronger community organization to partner with law enforcement on public safety improvements.
Infrastructure
Fire Chief emphasized need for water infrastructure coordination with Department of Water Supply as density increases in subdivisions like Hawaiian Acres, Kohala, Hamakua, and Kau to ensure adequate fire suppression capacity.