Maui County Budget 2013 – Final Call for Review
By Susan Halas
County Revenues and Expenses from the proposed 2013 budget total $628.8M. Click to enlarge. Susan Halas photo.
The Maui County Budget for upcoming fiscal year 2013 is available online. The document depicts a local government with revenues and expenditures projected at over $626.8 million.
Maui County, comprised of the islands of Maui, Molokai and Lanai, has an estimated resident population of 154,834 served by a workforce of more than 2,500 public employees.
Local wonks who enjoy the details of public financing will find the budget a fascinating picture of where our money comes from, where it has gone, and where it will go. It’s all there in two volumes, including operating costs and capital improvement projections.
In-depth types will want to read it closely for a comprehensive recap including department-by-department staffing, equipment, grants and carry-over funds.
The information is all spelled out numerically and much of it is also presented graphically. There’s everything you ever wanted to know (and in some cases much more than you ever wanted to know) about the financial side of Maui County in a clear and readable format.
Surprisingly Easy to Follow
For a document that’s so complex, it’s surprisingly easy to follow. It comes with its own Reader’s Guide.
(Hint: Read this first if you’re not accustomed to reviewing long financial documents). Using these instructions as a starting point, even fiscal beginners should be able to navigate the budget.
Maui County employs more than 2,500 workers. Click to enlarge. Susan Halas photo.
Whether you’re interested in the whole county or just your own neighborhood, this is the place to start.
Budget “Lite”
If you are a reader whose eyes glaze over at more than three numbers in a row, perhaps you’ll want to stick with the Budget Lite, aka Budget Proposal Synopsis FY 2013, which provides a fairly comprehensive overview and capital budget summaries in a much abbreviated format.
Stronger Stuff: But if you want a more in-depth view, try these two links:
Operating Budget Sections: Click here to see the sections.
Capital Budget Sections: Click here to see the sections.
Status:
The budget was prepared by the administration headed by Maui Mayor Alan Arakawa, then forwarded to the Maui County Council’s Budget and Finance Committee chaired by Joe Pontanilla. There it is now, under review.
Citizens with general or specific concerns either for or against items contained in (and in some cases omitted from) the budget are encouraged to make their views known via email to [email protected]. Messages sent to Pontanilla are shared and seen by the other members of the committee.
District Meeting Schedule for 2013 Budget:
The public is invited to testify at upcoming district meetings:
Mon., April 9: KAHULUI, Pomaikai Elementary School Cafeteria, 6:30 p.m.
Wed., April 11: LAHAINA, Civic Center Social Hall, 6 p.m.
Fri., April 13: LANAI, Senior Center, 6 p.m.
Mon., April 16: HANA, Helene Hall, 6 p.m.
Wed., April 18: PUKULANI, Tavares Community Center, 6 p.m.
Wed, April 25: WAILUKU, Council Chambers, 8th floor County Building, 6 p.m. Final public meeting.
District meetings have already been held in Kihei, Paia and Molokai.
The council also accepts written and in-person testimony Monday through Friday in Council Chambers (except April 9 & 17) through April 25. This schedule may vary slightly. Those who wish to appear should sign up at 9 a.m. The council hears public remarks and then goes into deliberations.
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