Next Council The City Council's next chairman told incoming Council members yesterday that they may have no choice but to raise property taxes or user fees to make up for an anticipated $159 million shortfall in next year's budget.
chairman sees likely
tax increase
Okino says property taxes
or user fees may have to go up
to offset the budget shortfallBy Craig Gima
cgima@starbulletin.com"I think raising taxes is inevitable," said Councilman Gary Okino, who will become chairman when the new Council is sworn in next year.
At a press conference announcing the new organization of the council, Okino said that the problems facing the Council "will be huge."
Besides the budget shortfall, the Council will also be taking up the controversial bus rapid transit system, how to pay for repairs and maintenance to the aging sewer system and what to do about the landfill on the Leeward Coast.
Six of the nine members of the Council will be new to the job next year.
In announcing the new Council organization, Okino told the new Council members that they will have to get up to speed quickly when they take office in January.
In answer to a Star-Bulletin survey during the campaign, incoming Councilmen Charles Djou, Donovan Dela Cruz and Rod Tam said they either oppose or do not support raising taxes.
The other Council members said they would look at audits and cuts in services first, but did not come out directly against tax increases.
Djou deferred yesterday when asked about his opposition to a tax increase, saying that there will be a lot to discuss when the new Council takes office.
City & County of Honolulu
