HILO, Hawaii (AP) - The Hawaii County Council killed a bill that would have prevented county employees from getting county contracts. It would have also blocked companies controlled by county employees, their spouses and children from winning county contracts.
Mayor Billy Kenoi supported the bill, but the council was deadlocked with four members in favor and four opposed, West Hawaii Today (https://bit.ly/1iHXDxe) reported.
Kenoi said he was disappointed but hopes the next council will pass it.
Council members supporting the measure say there’s a perception that county employees get preferential treatment when it comes to county contracts.
“This bill will help the county’s credibility. This is a start for gaining our public trust. They want this. They want an ethics bill. It may not be perfect, but it’s a start,” said Hamakua Councilwoman Valerie Poindexter.
Dissenters say the mayor hasn’t shown a need for the bill.
“There’s not one shred of evidence from the administration that there’s nefarious deeds going on,” said Brenda Ford, who represents South Kona and Kau.
The bill would have also prohibited elected, appointed officers and employees from lobbying for a company or otherwise representing private interests before county agencies.
Ford called a provision banning officials from representing private interests before county boards, “dangerous.”
Tightening the ethics code could shut out local contractors in favor of off-island ones, raising the cost of goods and services, council opponents said.
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Information from: West Hawaii Today, https://www.westhawaiitoday.com
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