Arakawa to Present 2015 Budget Proposal

Maui Mayor Alan Arakawa during his recent State of the County address held last month at the Maui Arts & Cultural Center. File photo by Wendy Osher.

By Wendy Osher

Maui Mayor Arakawa will unveil his proposed budget for the 2015 fiscal year next week Tuesday, March 25, during a presentation in the Council Chambers.

The budget proposal was described as “an illustration of the county administration’s belief in vision and action.”

“Preparing the budget proposal is a complex process, and our budget staff and I worked hard to carefully balance the resources needed to help us move forward, not only as a government but also as a community,” said Arakawa in a press release announcement.

The new budget proposal includes five administrative priorities identified by Mayor Arakawa that he said guided the budget process to date including the following: an efficient, effective and responsive government; a strong, diversified economy; suitable public infrastructure; a prepared, safe and livable county; and a healthy and sustainable community.

In past years, the mayor has asked department heads to strategically evaluate their current operations, their purpose, how they achieve that purpose and what they use to measure success.

The budget presentation is set to start at 9 a.m. on the 8th floor of the Kalana O Maui building. It will be followed by a question and answer session with Arakawa and Budget Director Sandy Baz before media representatives following the event.