Maui 2015 Budget Passes on First Reading

Mike White. File image by Wendy Osher.

By Wendy Osher

The Maui County Council voted unanimously to pass the Budget and Finance Committee’s version of the budget on first reading in an 8-0 vote on Tuesday, with one member excused.

The $604 million budget was passed with amendments including correction of fund balances on special purpose revenues by revising figures on 14 out of 18 allocations following a notification from the budget director of incorrect balances.

Significant revisions in excess of $50,000 (rounded to the nearest $1,000) include the following:

• Housing Interim Financing and Buy Back Revolving Fund: the balance was adjusted downward to $1,511,000 from $1,632,000;
• Plan Review Permit Processing and Inspection Revolving Fund: the amount was adjusted upward to $3,548,000, from $3,457,000;
• Highway Beautification and Disposal of Abandoned Vehicles Revolving Fund: the amount should reflect $1,208,000 rather than $1,118,000;
• Animal Management Revolving Fund: should reflect a balance of $233,000, as opposed to $189,000;
• Plan Review Processing and Inspection Revolving Fund for Fire: the amount should reflect $537,000, instead of $452,000;
• Emergency Fund: should reflect a balance of $23,796,000, as opposed to $26,796,000;
• Affordable Housing Fund: the balance should reflect an amount of $13,304,000, instead of $12,673,000;
• Post Employment Obligations Fund: the balance should reflect a total of $97,222,000, instead of a balance of $115,092,000.

“I’d like to thank the members of the staff of the Budget and Finance Committee for all of your work and craft on the fiscal year 2015 budget.  We had important discussions on many topics, and the conversation will continue on a few major topics which have been recommended for referral to various committees,” said Committee Chair Mike White during Tuesday’s Council meeting.

“We worked very hard to balance the budget and made some tough decisions.  I thank the members and the staff for the long hours and the significant consideration that went into the decision making,” he said.

When the budget was recommended for passage out of committee, it included a 3.1% reduction in real property tax rates across the board.

Highlights of the budget also included a $10 million appropriation for countywide mainline and water infrastructure improvements; $16.6 million in funding for the proposed gymnasium at South Maui Community Park to have the structure developed as a multipurpose center; and $200,000 to Maui Economic Development Board for new business development and job creation.

The budget reflects an $18.5 million decrease in spending from the mayor’s proposed budget, a difference that Mayor Arakawa said, “reflects only a 3% adjustment from our original proposed budget for fiscal year 2015.”

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.