Big Island officials are moving ahead with plans to sell property owned by Hawai'i County to help balance its budget.

The Hawai'i County Council has approved Mayor Billy Kenoi's plan to sell 3,517 acres of vacant land in Hamakua.

Deputy Finance Director Deanna Sako says 16 properties totaling 737 acres above Pa'auilo have been identified for sale. Their combined value for tax purposes is $8 million.

The county must now commission independent appraisals. Three appraisal bids were received by the county by Friday's deadline.

Sako says she expects property appraisals to be completed in August.

Hawai'i County initially tried to sell the land in 2007. But then-Mayor Harry Kim complied with a council request to abandon the effort.