Maui council gives initial OK to budget
By Tim Hurley
Advertiser Maui Bureau
WAILUKU, Maui — The Maui County Council gave initial approval yesterday to a fiscal year 2001-02 budget that includes money for more lifeguards, measures to ease traffic, a Wailea fire station and the purchase of 69 acres for a Kihei regional park.
Advertiser library photo • Sept. 10, 1999
In approving a $274 million operating budget on first reading, the council included a 2.1 percent decrease in real property taxes, which should save taxpayers a total of about $2 million.
Mayor James "Kimo" Apana wants money for a park.
The budget calls for hiring lifeguards to staff Ho'okipa Beach Park. There is also $8 million to build a Wailea fire station and staff it with 33 firefighters, and $2 million for various highway improvements to help ease traffic congestion.
At Mayor James "Kimo'' Apana's request, the council approved a $2.4 million bond authorization to pay for the purchase of land to build a regional park. Council members, however, reserved the right of final approval of the project.
