Mayor’s Budget Amendment Would Make $4M Available for Coronavirus Response

Photo of Maui Mayor Michael Victorino PC: by Gaylord Paul Garcia / Maui Now

Mayor Michael Victorino submitted a proposed bill to the County Council on Monday that would make $4 million available from the emergency fund to support the County of Maui’s efforts in addressing COVID-19 impacts.

“This would provide immediate funding for previously unanticipated costs related to COVID-19 (coronavirus),” Mayor Victorino said. “County departments are responding to and preparing for increased operational and emergency services for the community. The passage of the proposed amendment would allow the departments the ability to move quickly and efficiently in our efforts to protect our communities from the virus and provide emergency relief when necessary.”

Mayor Victorino asked for a special meeting of the County Council to consider the proposed bill, as provided for by Section 3-3(2) of the County Charter.

County departments have been expending funds from their current fiscal year budgets to meet immediate needs of communities and employees.

“Since we are nearing the end of Fiscal Year 2020, the departments do not have the ability to absorb the additional costs within their operating budgets through the end of the fiscal year,” Mayor Victorino said.

A Public Health Emergency Proclamation on COVID-19 was issued for Maui County on March 4. Gov. David Ige and the mayors of Hawaii’s three other counties also have issued emergency proclamations.

The proclamations provide the ability to take action to suspend any county law that “impedes or tends to impede, or that may be detrimental to, the health, safety and welfare of the public.”