Updated at 12:28 p.m., Thursday, March 15, 2007
Maui mayor proposes small hike in water, sewer fees
Advertiser Staff
WAILUKU, Maui — Mayor Charmaine Tavares today unveiled her proposed budget for fiscal year 2007-2008 that boosts the Maui County operating budget by 15 percent and seeks a slight increase in water, sewer and garbage collection fees for residents.The spending plan includes revenue of $525 million, a 9 percent increase from the current year. Tavares said Maui's real property values continue to hold strong, with net taxable assessed values increasing by $6 billion, or 17 percent. The county expects to take in $196.6 million in real property tax revenues in the fiscal year that starts July 1.
Tourism also continues to do well, and Tavares said the county should collect $22 million from the transient accommodations tax, an increase of 9 percent over the current year.
The county's operating budget is $421 million. The mayor said she wants to increase the payroll by 127.2 positions, mostly in the new Department of Environmental Management established by charter amendment in the 2006 election, with other positions going to the fire, parks and recreation, and water departments.
Major capital improvement projects include a $4 million morgue, $25.7 million for sewage system improvements, $26.5 million for roads and drainage projects, and $15.1 million for landfill expansion and improvements.
Proposed rate increases would add about $8.40 per month to the average residential sewer fee, $1.50 per month for water, and $4 per month for garbage pickup.
