[ OUR OPINION ]
Council nibbles
around edges of city’s
money problemsCITY Council members hope to nickel and dime their way to a balanced budget, proposing to boost parking fees on streets and in municipal lots. How much revenue would be raised has yet to be calculated, but unless rates are increased significantly, it is not likely to amount to much.
THE ISSUE
A bill would increase meter fees for parking on city streets and in municipal lots.
However, for restaurants, small retail stores and other businesses that rely on already limited metered parking spaces for their customers, the effects may be sharp. Unlike big-box stores and shopping malls, they do not have the high-volume returns and assets to provide free parking. Each sale lost to customer inconvenience strikes them exponentially.
There is nothing wrong with the Council looking for small revenue increases here and there. Even so, such a timid approach to money management abandons the city and taxpayers to an annual barrel-scraping exercise that precludes sound fiscal leadership.
The city is obviously spending more than it can afford. That it had to peddle off a valuable piece of real estate -- Block J in the heart of downtown Honolulu -- is a clear indication. Instead of a long-term revenue source, the city gained a one-time infusion of about $10 million, cash already spent through the current fiscal year.
The expanse of city services spreads thin its resources so that while there are myriad programs, each operates minimally. With Jeremy Harris bidding a long goodbye to the mayor's office, it is the Council's task to make some tough choices: Cut impractical projects or increase taxes, or both.
The Council should review services, single out the ones essential to making Honolulu a desirable city in which to live and work, seek taxpayer opinion and go with those.
We realize the city must deal with matters beyond its control. Public employees' salaries are subject to statewide negotiations, revenue sources are limited and obligations imposed by the state Legislature. But increasing fees and tolls bit by bit just to make ends meet year by year makes little sense and hampers the city's ability to set larger objectives, like improving public transportation.
Five of the nine Council seats are up for grabs this year, so members may be reluctant to increase taxes. However, if Council members reject their substantial pay increases -- as much as 21 percent -- that would show voters they are willing to make sacrifices, too.
If the Council can find the will to tackle money issues boldly, the city will acquire financial stability. The Council won't feel compelled to shakedown parking meters for more loose change.
