Posted on: Wednesday, May 30, 2001

Maui Council OKs $300 million budget

By Timothy Hurley
Advertiser Maui County Bureau

WAILUKU, Maui — The Maui County Council gave final 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.

The $300 million budget includes a 2.1 percent decrease in real property taxes, which is expected to save taxpayers a total of about $2 million.

The budget also calls for hiring lifeguards to staff Ho'okipa Beach Park, a north shore spot popular with surfers and windsurfers. 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.

The council also 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. During an afternoon meeting yesterday, a council committee deferred discussion about the proposal and asked for additional information.