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CoH Proposed
FY 2009-2010
Revised Budget
Highlights
Overall budget is $386.7 million, a reduction of 4.1% or $16.46 million from the current year budget. This is the first time the county budget has been reduced since fiscal year 2001.
Includes savings of $41,714 from furloughing appointed staff in the mayor’s office for one day per month for the entire fiscal year.
No property tax increase, and continues free island-wide bus service.
Includes cuts of 10% in non-salary and non-grant expenses for departments totaling $4.8 million.
Unfunds 55 positions for a savings of $1.3 million, the largest number of positions unfunded in a single budget in county history.
Continues the current level of county funding for non-profit organizations at $1.5 million per year.
Revenue/Expense Changes
Assumes a decline in property tax collections of more than $15 million or 6.5% from current year budget.
Includes a reduction in collections from the transient accommodations tax (TAT) or hotel room tax of 13.4% or $2.7 million from the current year budget. TAT collections are expected total $17.4 million.
Includes a reduction in county interest revenue of $4 million.
Budget assumes deposits into the Public Access, Open Space and Natural Resources Fund will be suspended for two years starting July 1 for a savings of $4.3 million per year.
Budget assumes lands in Hamakua will be sold for approximately $8.2 million.
Assumes an increase of $380,000 for increased drivers licensing and motor vehicle responsibility fees. The increased fees will allow the county to actually cover the cost of providing drivers licenses, which the county now provides at a loss.
Includes a 23.7% increase in the cost of health coverage for active employees, and a 15.1% increase in the cost of health coverage for retirees. The additional cost to the county to provide coverage for the active and retired employees is $2.9 million for the year.
Includes additional employee retirement payments of $1.7 million for the year, an increase of 5.6%.
Assume the best and ask questions.
Punaweb moderator
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Thanks, Rob.
This one seems to stand out and justify some more explanation:
"... 23.7% increase in the cost of health coverage for active employees, and a 15.1% increase in the cost of health coverage for retirees."
That is quite a large jump for one year.
James Weatherford, Ph.D.
15-1888 Hialoa
Hawaiian Paradise Park
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We can only see the points that the administration wants to highlight here. A more thorough reading of the budget will be useful. I don't think any of the council members actually read the budget.
Assume the best and ask questions.
Punaweb moderator
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The County subsidizes licence fees? We are actually supporting some of the worst drivers I've ever encountered in my life. And he grabs the 2%...? Where's the PCDP Action Committee? Lost on da Mayor's desk? He might forget, we don't.
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quote:
Originally posted by Barbara
He might forget, we don't.
Well put.
On a further note.
Speaking of "subsidies", a great deal of deliberation happened yesterday at the County Council meeting regarding the County's golf subsidy program, called the "West Hawaii" golf subsidy program.
Listening to the talk yesterday confirmed more or less what I had previously understood.
Basically, the County pays one or more private golf courses to allow local residents to play golf at a greatly reduced rate. With the Hilo 'public' golf course, the stated goal is to provide some 'equity' for "West Hawaii." Lots more details for the curious.
Courses at Waikaloa and Keauhou(?) were discussed, and the issue under deliberation was about drawing and redrawing a line on a map so that the Waimea Country Club could bid for this subsidy.
James Weatherford, Ph.D.
15-1888 Hialoa
Hawaiian Paradise Park
Posts: 1,779
Threads: 73
Joined: Aug 2006
Right, Damon, that is the Hilo course.
The justification for the subsidy for "West Hawaii" was that residents could golf in Hilo and pay a small amount, while the cost at the private course was much higher. So, tax money is used to subsidize residents who want to play golf without paying so much or going so far, i.e., in Kona / Kohala.
James Weatherford, Ph.D.
15-1888 Hialoa
Hawaiian Paradise Park
