The following testimony was submitted by the Grassroot Institute of Hawaii for consideration by the Honolulu City Council on Jan. 29, 2025.
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Jan. 29, 2025, 10 a.m.
Honolulu Hale
To: Honolulu City Council
Tommy Waters, Chair
Matt Weyer, Vice Chair
From: Grassroot Institute of Hawaii
Ted Kefalas, Director of Strategic Campaigns
RE: Bill 9 (2025) — RELATING TO FEES AND CHARGES
Aloha Chair Waters, Vice-Chair Weyer and other members of the Council,
The Grassroot Institute of Hawaii supports Bill 9 (2025), which would require the Honolulu Office of Council Services to maintain a list of fees and charges as an appendix to the Revised Ordinances of Honolulu.
This would be a welcome step toward greater transparency in the city government.
A comprehensive list of all fees and charges would give citizens knowledge about what licenses and permits require fees and the dollar figures of said fees. It would also give agencies a handy reference sheet for the fees and charges under their jurisdiction.
Finally, it would give the Council more information about whether certain fees are obsolete or redundant, allowing for the further streamlining and simplifying of city ordinances.
Thank you for the opportunity to testify.
Ted Kefalas
Director of Strategic Campaigns
Grassroot Institute of Hawaiis
