House panel OKs $6.5 billion budget plan

A proposed budget of $6.5 billion in general funds was approved by the House Finance Committee on Wednesday.

"The idea is not just to spend conservatively but to create a mindset for the state to spend within its means as a matter of consistent practice," said committee Chairwoman Rep. Sylvia Luke (D, Makiki-Punchbowl-Nuuanu-Dowsett Highlands-Pacific Heights-Pauoa) in a news release.

"Too often in years past, the state spent whatever monies it collected in good times and pulled in the reins in bad. Our long-term obligations were the cans that were kicked down the road. That’s why we are in the position we are in today," Luke said.

The full House is scheduled to vote on the proposed biennium budget for fiscal years 2015-2016 and 2016-2017 next week.

The proposed budget also puts $369 million that typically would go to the University of Hawaii’s general fund into the UH System Office instead.

"When we took up the autonomy bill, one of the things the Legislature considered was lump sum budgeting, which is a truer form of autonomy," Luke said. "While this is a drastic change from the past, we will be working with the university to see if this provides better flexibility, as well as accountability, to work through its fiscal issues more effectively."

Dillingham, Iroquois Point siren testing set

The Hawaii Emergency Management Agency and the city Department of Emergency Management will conduct siren testing Thursday at Dillingham Airfield entrance and Iroquois Point.

The Dillingham test will be conducted between 9 a.m. and noon while the test at Iroquois Point will be between noon and 3 p.m.

Residents may hear the siren sound six to eight times during 30-second to one-minute intervals in the identified time frame. Testing will include checks of the public address system and short blasts, known as "burps."

Residents may call HI-EMA at 733-4300 if they have any questions or concerns regarding modernization of the Statewide Outdoor Siren Warning System. Contact DEM at 723-8960 to report routine siren operational issues.

NEIGHBOR ISLANDS

Auditor reviews procurement for county

KAILUA-KONA » Hawaii County hasn’t completed any internal audits since 2011.

The county’s new auditor is working to change that.

Kailua-Kona newspaper West Hawaii Today reported Wednesday the legislative auditor position had been vacant for 16 months before Bonnie Nims took over on May 1. She said she’s working on an audit of county procurement credit cards.

Her annual audit plan includes audits of real property tax delinquent accounts, cash receipts from the Parks and Recreation Department, and mass transit.

The last internal audit done by the legislative auditor was a July 2011 report that found the county had put off maintenance of parks and recreation facilities for so long that repairs at many facilities were more expensive than necessary.