District Meetings Set for Community Input on 2015 Budget

Mike White. File image by Wendy Osher.

By Wendy Osher

The Budget and Finance Committee will hold evening meetings throughout the county in April to receive community input on the fiscal year 2015 budget.

Committee Chair Mike White released the schedule with the first meeting slated for April 2, 2014, at the Hannibal Tavares Community Center in Pukalani.

Additional district meetings are scheduled throughout the county through April 22. 

In addition to allocations for department services, the budget also sets forth the amount of grant funds that are offered to community organizations, and establishes funding levels for capital improvement projects.

“It is in your best interest to speak out and inform your elected officials how tax dollars should be spent. I encourage everyone to participate because after all, it is your money,” White said in a council press release.

The complete schedule includes the following dates, times and locations:

• Wednesday, April 2, 2014, 6 p.m.: Mayor Hannibal Tavares Community Center, Social Hall, in Pukalani;
• Friday, April 4, 2014, 6 p.m.: Lānaʻi Senior Center, in Lānaʻi City;
• Monday, April 7, 2014, 6 p.m.: Lahaina Civic Center, Social Hall in West Maui;
• Wednesday, April 9, 2014, 6 p.m.: Pāʻia Community Center, Social Hall;
• Friday, April 11, 2014, 6 p.m.: Kalanianaole Hall on the Mauna Loa Highway in Kalamaula, Molokaʻi;
• Monday, April 14, 2014, 6 p.m.: Kīhei Community Center, Main Hall on East Līpoa Street in South Maui;
• Thursday, April 17, 2014, 6:30 p.m.: Lihikai Elementary School, Dining Room on South Papa Avenue in Kahului;
• Tuesday, April 22, 2014, 6 p.m.: Helene Social Hall on Keawa Place in Hāna.

The committee will also conduct budget meetings in the Council Chamber beginning March 31 through May 2. The deadline for the council to pass the budget is on Tuesday, June 10, 2014.  If the council fails to pass a budget by the deadline, the mayor’s version of the budget will take effect on July 1, 2014.

Some helpful tips on how to participate in the budget process are available on the County of Maui website.