The multiplicity of entities having an interest on Kiawah ("the K's") has been an impediment to the Strategic Planning Committee's effort to offer recommendations for the island's future. During its discussions the committee often times had difficulty determining how to best achieve a desired result given the presence of overlapping authorities on Kiawah (see Appendix 5).
In particular, the lack of clear lines of responsibility and authority between the Town of Kiawah Island (TOKI) and the Kiawah Island Community Association (KICA) as well as the absence of a definitive procedure for instituting change make long range planning on Kiawah especially difficult.
In the future we should develop a less complex management/governance structure for Kiawah, one which is less complicated, at least from the point of view of the member. A key feature of this improved situation would be .one-stop shopping. for the member.
KICA should be the entity to provide this focal point for the member. Legal and other considerations will continue to determine which of the several entities on Kiawah will be the one that actually executes the services needed and valued by members. However, the details of which entity is to do what, and for what reason, can remain .running in the background. while the member looks to KICA to put it all together and make things happen.
We realize that KICA's relationship with TOKI, KRA, KIGR, etc., must be at arms length, but KICA can bring the members' issues into focus, prioritize them, and request the needed action from the appropriate entity. To make this approach work, the process will have to be open, understandable and accountable.
For example, members perceive that speeding on Kiawah is a chronic problem. If analysis by KICA staff and board concludes there is a need for greater law enforcement then, KICA should request that the TOKI do what is needed to respond. KICA's decision that such action is needed, as well as its request to the TOKI for action, should be publicly made known to members. Additionally, the response and plan of action from the TOKI, or other entity (depending on the issue at hand) should also be made public. The members can then determine whether or not KICA and the responding entity are working together in an effective manner.
Although some members might continue to view KICA or TOKI as stand-alone organizations with unique pieces and parts of the responsibility for governing and running Kiawah, the goal for the future should be to make this compartmentalized view unnecessary and out of date. This can be achieved by making KICA the focal point for operations and change on the island. A "one-stop shopping" concept will prove to be more useful and easier to understand from the members' point of view than is currently the case.