HI HR98

Urges Maui County to adopt a financially prudent budget for fiscal year 2024-2025 given the significant costs of responding to and recovering from the August 2023 wildfires that killed over 100 people and displaced thousands of residents.

Notes that the proposed budget reflects a $429,200,000 increase (33.9 percent) over the prior fiscal year while expecting $150,000,000 from the State, and includes funding for newly mandated departments including the Department of 'Oiwi Resources, a water authority, and a Department of Housing.

Recognizes that the County faces revenue losses from decreased visitor occupancy and property tax impacts, plus unknown costs from wildfire-related lawsuits, necessitating fiscal restraint in other budget areas.

Urges the Maui County Council and Mayor to adopt a fiscal year 2025-2026 budget that maintains current operational levels except for increases mandated by the Maui County Charter or those critical to wildfire response and recovery.

Directs certified copies be transmitted to the Governor, Mayor of Maui, and members of the Maui County Council.