Maui council OKs county's 2004 budget

Advertiser Staff

The Maui County Council yesterday approved a $318.8 million version of the county's fiscal 2004 budget.

The spending plan includes a slight homeowner property tax cut, from $3.63 to $3.55 per $1,000 of assessed value, but it increases rates for absentee-owner residential and apartment property categories from $4.93 to $5.86 per $1,000 of valuation.

The budget includes $47.7 million for capital improvements, including $700,000 for the purchase of the Wailuku Pool.

This year's budget total tops last year's plan by $50 million, but most of the increase is because of the inclusion of the Department of Water Supply. Voters last year gave the mayor and council control over the department.