Mayor to Present Proposed FY 2016 Budget

Maui Mayor Alan Arakawa with his version of the Fiscal Year 2015 Budget. File photo by Wendy Osher.

By Maui Now Staff

Maui Mayor Alan Arakawa will unveil his proposal for the Fiscal Year 2016 budget during a presentation at 2 p.m. on Tuesday, March 24, in the Mayor’s Conference Room.

“The Fiscal Year 2016 proposed budget highlights our county’s need for improved infrastructure, key social services and properly maintained public facilities,” said Mayor Arakawa in a press release announcement.

“We have constructed this budget based on the requests we heard from the public, as well as the departments’ needs to maintain core operations and public services while increasing our efficiency and sustainability,” he said.

Mayor Arakawa is expected to explain and expound upon five priorities guiding the development of his proposal, including:  (1) an efficient, effective and responsive government; (2) a strong, diversified economy; (3) suitable public infrastructure; (4) a prepared, safe and livable county; and (5) a healthy and sustainable community.

The council’s Budget and Finance Committee will begin community hearings on the budget during the month of April, with the first meeting slated for Thursday, April 2nd at the Kīhei Community Center in South Maui.

The Budget Ordinance is the county’s financial plan for the next fiscal year, which begins July 1, 2015. It determines how much money each department receives to provide services such as fire and police protection, public transportation, water and refuse collection, and how much is collected from the public through taxes and fees.