Published in The Maui News, April 26, 2015
By MIKE WHITE, for The Maui News
A public hearing by the Maui County Council is scheduled for Wednesday at 6 p.m. regarding real property tax rates for fiscal year 2016, which begins July 1, 2015.
If you are unable to join us at the Council Chambers, tune in to Akaku Maui Community Media on Channel 53.
Real property tax is the county’s largest source of revenue. Current rates per $1,000 of net taxable assessed property value for each class of property are:
- Agricultural: $5.86.
- Apartment: $6.20.
- Commercial: $6.83.
- Commercialized Residential: $4.46.
- Conservation: $6.06.
- Homeowner: $2.75.
- Hotel and Resort: $9.11.
- Industrial: $7.07.
- Residential: $5.57.
- Time Share: $15.07.
Tax rates for the upcoming fiscal year will be set by the council in the fiscal year 2016 budget, currently under review by the Budget and Finance Committee. Council members will consider testimony from the public hearing as the committee holds decision-making meetings on the budget throughout this week.
Council members are also taking into account an external auditor’s findings in the so-called “Single Audit Report” – a consolidated audit process required by the federal government as a condition of grants to the county. As noted in Committee Report 15-38 earlier this month, the Single Audit Report found a “material weakness” for ongoing fund review and recurrent “deficiencies” regarding internal controls over cash receipts and monitoring program compliance.
In addition, the new Office of the County Auditor’s first audit report – which provided recommendations on future county investments – is being considered. Meanwhile, I am in the process of awarding a contract for a council-initiated audit of the Solid Waste Division of the Department of Environmental Management.
This audit work is necessary to ensure prudent management of public funds.
The Single Audit Report, the county auditor’s report, the public hearing agenda and the Budget and Finance Committee’s schedule are available at mauicounty.us or by calling the Office of Council Services at 270-7838.
Next month’s council meetings are scheduled for 9 a.m. on May 5 and 10 a.m. on May 26, with first reading of the budget set to occur at the latter meeting.
* Mike White is chair of the Maui County Council and vice chair of the council’s Budget and Finance Committee. He holds the council seat for the Paia-Haiku-Makawao residency area. “Chair’s 3 Minutes” is a weekly column to explain the latest news on county legislative matters. Go to mauicounty.us for more information.
