Mayor Mufi Hannemann today submitted an annual budget that proposes operating funds of $1.839 billion and a capital improvement budget of $831.5 million, according to the city.
The proposed fiscal year 2009 operating budget -- which covers fixed expenses such as debt service and employee pension benefits -- represents a 5.5 percent increase over the previous fiscal year.
"As in previous years, the fiscal year 2009 budget places a premium on financial prudence and accountability, with a steadfast commitment to basic city services like public safety, sewers and solid waste, parks and public facilities, and transportation," said Hannemann in a news release. "This budget offers a combination of new proposals, such as beefing up security in our parks and beginning planning for the fixed guideway, with the tried-and-true priorities of catching up on our backlog of sewer and road work and maintenance of public facilities."
Highlights of the capital budget proposals include:
Sewers and solid waste
$245.3 million for sewer rehabilitation and sanitation-related projects. $5 million for the shipping of solid waste off-island. $8 million to expand curbside recycling. $2.5 million for the third year of the Leeward Coast Community Benefits package, which offsets the burden of the Waimanalo Gulch Landfill on residents of that area of O'ahu. The money is split between grants to service providers and parks improvements. Roads
$77 million for rehabilitation of major roads. $3.4 million for road repairs using city crews. $6.4 million to rehabilitate and complete seismic retrofits of bridges. $5.2 million to inspect and plan improvements to potential rock-slide areas.Transportation
$265.1 million to plan, design, and begin construction of the fixed guideway linking Kapolei with downtown Honolulu (includes $14 million in federal funds). $31.1 million to purchase 50 hybrid buses (includes $24.8 million in federal funds). $2.5 million to construct the Alapa'i Transit Center and $350,000 to plan the Windward Transit Center. $4.2 million to construct the Middle Street Intermodal Center. $6.7 million to design the Alapa'i Transportation Management Center. $4 million to continue operation of TheBoat, the commuter ferry linking West O'ahu with downtown Honolulu. $1 million for bikeway improvements and funding for one new engineer position to oversee the City's plans to provide more bikeways and bike routes. Public safety
$63,000 to form a parks patrol of officers from the Honolulu Police Department, working in cooperation with the parks staff. Six positions to bolster the police department's recruitment and training efforts. $5.5 million for 58 replacement patrol cars, 10 motorcycles, one helicopter, and other equipment for the Honolulu Police Department. $2 million for major improvements to police stations and other facilities. Housing and sustainability
$4 million to acquire land in the Honouliuli Preserve and Puuiki Beach in Waialua using money from the Clean Water and Natural Lands Fund. $3.8 million to renovate the Kulana Nani affordable rental housing project in Kane'ohe and $3.5 million from the Affordable Housing Fund to acquire the fee interest in the land. $2 million to develop the River Street Residences in Chinatown, a transitional shelter for families and individuals, including those with disabilities. $1.1 million for a new federally funded tenant-based rental assistance program, similar to the Section 8 rental vouchers (includes three positions and $960,000 in rental subsidies). Parks and public facilities
$15.6 million for parks improvements. $6.9 million for the construction of the new elephant facility at Honolulu Zoo. City operations
$91.8 million for other post-employment benefits, primarily the City's long-term obligations to the Employer-Union Health Benefits Trust Fund to pay for health insurance for retirees . The administration set aside $40 million of this sum last year, but is now seeking authorization to begin paying the state government for this obligation. $10.4 million for a provisional account to cover anticipated increases in the cost of fuel and electricity. $10 million for the Fiscal Stability Reserve Fund, money for economic crises or natural disasters.
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