Maui Council lowers
property tax rates

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By Gary T. Kubota
Maui correspondent

WAILUKU >> The Maui County Council has passed a $274.4 million budget for fiscal 2001-2002, rolling back property tax rates by 2 percent across the board.

Even with the decrease, many homeowners will experience an overall increase in property taxes.

That's because the value of existing residential properties increased by about 8 percent this year, according to the county tax office.

Property tax revenues in Maui County are expected to increase by $7.3 million to $95.1 million in fiscal 2001-02.

The $274.4 million includes $67.8 million in capital improvements spending -- an 88 percent increase in the previous year's building budget.

The Council's budget was about the same amount requested by Maui Mayor James "Kimo" Apana and reflected similar feelings about funding major building projects while interest rates were low in the bond market.

Councilman Riki Hokama said while there may be financial worries ahead nationally, this year was an opportunity to fund a number of important projects, including a new Lanai Police Station and a fire station in Wailea in south Maui.

"I believe the community has said this is the level of funding of revenues we want," said Hokama, chairman of the Budget and Finance Committee.

Hokama said the Council also supported some projects that lacked state financial backing but were needed in Maui County, such as $250,000 for the eradication of the miconia plant in watershed areas.

The Council authorized spending $500,000 in building improvements at the Molokai General Hospital and added 17 full- and part-time water safety officers.

Under the budget, the Council decreased the rental fees for park building facilities, rolling them back to 1999 levels.

The Council cut funding for Apana's beach replenishment program, except for a $100,000 study.

The Council also did not include Apana's request for $1.75 million to expand the Central Maui Youth Center and develop dormitories for visiting youth teams.

Council Vice Chairman Dain Kane said the Council may consider the youth center project next year.

Apana is expected to sign the budget tomorrow.