For Immediate Release
Press Release by:
Alice L. Lee, Council Chair
Maui County Council
media@mauicounty.us
Tuesday’s first reading of budget highlights week of council and committee meetings
WAILUKU, Hawaiʻi (May 22, 2023)—The Maui County Council at 9 a.m. tomorrow will consider passage on first reading of the county’s fiscal year 2024 budget amid a week of meetings in the Council Chamber and via video conference, Council Chair Alice L. Lee announced today.
Tuesday’s council meeting will also serve as a public hearing on Bill 22, CD1 (2023), which proposes just over $1 billion in appropriations for public services while reducing real property tax rates on homes valued at $3 million or less, Lee said. The council’s Government Relations, Ethics and Transparency Committee meets today at 1:30 p.m. to consider litigation matters, beginning this week’s meeting slate.
“The proposed budget is the result of collaboration and insight from the administration, all nine councilmembers and the members of the public who have been helping us identify priorities,” Lee said. “As we take the final steps in the budget session, we continue to seek input from those we serve as we strive to responsibly invest in our communities.”
On Wednesday at 1:30 p.m., the Disaster, Resilience and International Affairs Committee will review the county’s climate-change plans. On Friday at 9 a.m., the Budget, Finance and Economic Development Committee will review longstanding capital-improvement projects, and the week closes on Friday at 1:30 p.m. with the Water and Infrastructure Committee reviewing a bill to rename Puamana Park to Waiahiokole Burial Preserve.
The current version of Bill 22 is the result of the Budget, Finance and Economic Development Committee’s reviewing and revising the proposed budget submitted by Mayor Richard T. Bissen, Jr. two months ago. The committee held daily meetings throughout April, including in-person evening sessions throughout the county’s various residency areas for the first time since 2019.
Committee Report 23-34, which recommends passage of Bill 22, says the budget committee “prioritized fiscal responsibility” while it also recognized the need to solidify the county workforce “by encouraging the filling of vacancies and supporting efforts to retain employees.”
In-person, online and phone testimony is welcome at all meetings. Testimony instructions are on the meeting agendas, available at: mauicounty.us/agendas.
Legislation and other supporting documents are also accessible via the meeting agendas. For more information, call the Office of Council Services (808) 270-7838.
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