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Home My WebLink AboutFY 2023 (Office of the Prosecuting Attorney)Rebecca Like Acting Prosecuting Attorney Jennifer S. Winn Acting First Deputy Leon J. C. Davenport, III Actins Second DeDUty OFFICE OF THE PROSECUTING ATTORNEY County of Kauai, State of Hawaii 3990 Ka`ana Street, Suite 210, LYhu`e, Hawaii 96766 808-241-1888 — FAX 808-241-1758 Victim/Witness Program 808-241-1898 or 800-668-5734 FY 2023 BUDGET AND OPERATIONS SYNOPSIS 1. FY 2022 to FY 2023 BUDGET COMPARISON Diana Gausepohl-White Victim/Witness Program Director Theresa Koki Life's Choices Kauai Program Prevention Services Coordinator FY 2022 FY 2023 $ + / - % + / - Salary and Wages 3,041,240 3,221,099 179,859 5.9% Benefits 1,970,040 2,135,297 165,257 8.4% Utilities 7,210 7,210 0 0.0% Vehicle/Equip, Lease 15,286 2 -15,284 -100.0% Operations 274,167 289,452 15,285 5.6% 5,307,943 5,653,060 345,117 6.5% FY 2022 Operating Budget FY 2023 Operating Budget 0% 5% ■ Salary and Wages 0% 5% Salary and Wages ■ Benefits ■ Benefits ■ Utilities A Utilities ■ Vehicle/Equip, ■ Vehicle/Equip, Lease Lease ■ Operations ■ Operations 1 FY 2022 and FY 2023 Comparison 3,500,000 3,000,000 2,500,000 2,000,000 9 FY 2022 1,500,000 p FY 2023 1,000,000 500,000 0 Salary and Wages Benefits Utilities VehicleJrquip, Operations Lease 2. MAJOR CHANGES AND/OR VARIANCES IN OPERATIONS BUDGET Reeular Salaries Account, Position No. E-88. Deputy Prosecutine Attornev. $58.956 and related fringe This position leads our Department of Transportation, Highway Safety Grant Program and is our designated Transportation Safety Resource Prosecutor. In previous years, this position was fully funded by the DOT grant. In discussion with the DOT, we found that the position could not meet the grant's demands at 100% FTE, as it would prevent this attorney from handling other types of cases for OPA in court. We are requesting to fund Position No. E-88 at 0.50 FTE to make up for the reduction in grant funding received by DOT. Special Projects Account, OPA ADA Improvements, $30,000.00 The front exterior and interior doors to OPA are difficult and heavy for employees and visitors with physical limitations. We are requesting funding in the amount of $30,000.00 to install handicap doors to provide safe access for our employees who need extra assistance getting in and out as well as visitors to the office. Travel Training Accounts (Airfare, Per Diem, Car Rentals, etc.) Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Deputy Prosecuting Attorneys who usually attend one or two professional development trainings in their specialized field of prosecution have been unable to attend mainland trainings. Many of these training opportunities are not being offered virtually. As our office has a 99% vaccination rate, we feel that it is essential to invest in our attorney's professional development and skill sets, which will keep them up-to-date on new trends and tactics in the field of criminal justice law. We are requesting additional funding for our travel training accounts in support of this goal. 3. OPERATIONAL CHALLENGES The departure of the former Prosecuting Attorney less than a year into the current term obviously created challenges for the Department. The unexpected shift in leadership and uncertainty for employees in light of a special election has created much anxiety for staff and as a result, OPA has experienced a loss of several experienced attorneys. Coupled with the pressure of working through a pandemic and the overall hiring climate, it has been a challenge to maintain staffing levels and fill vacant positions. Our priority in the FY 23 budget is to fill all vacant positions, as well as fully maintain and preserve our current staff. We are not requesting funding for any new programs or positions and our primary focus is to maintain the services we provide to the community. 4. TOP THREE OPERATIONAL HIGHLIGHTS FROM FY 2022 A. Successfully prosecuted the Peter Grewer vs. State of Hawai'i murder trial. Grewer was found guilty of second degree murder and sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole in October 2021. B. During the largest surge of the Omicron Covid-19 variant on Kaua'i this winter, we successfully transitioned clerical, victim witness, investigative and administrative staff into partial teleworking. This quick action provided no interruption of service to the community and also prevented the spread of the virus or internal outbreaks among the staff who tested positive. C. Improved the phone directory system so that phone calls are directed to a live person working in each section of the office so that callers received immediate assistance and reach the pertinent section that they are calling for.