COM 0521.000 2002-2004 - Laserfiche WebLink

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The Honorable Chairman James Y. Arakaki and Members of the County Council Page 3 March I, 2004 Highway Fund We propose to increase the resources and spending of the Highway Fund to catch up with the backlog of road maintenance work and keep current in the future, and to increase the ability of the Traffic Division to address problem areas and complaints. The amount of the Highway Fund budget increase is based on a proposal to increase the fuel tax by 4¢ per gallon, effective July 1, 2004. This proposal will be presented to the County Council for consideration, with justification, by the end of April. Transportation Access to transportation is critical to the quality of life in many ways. Public mass transportation is vital to help people get to jobs, to allow children and youth to participate in community and after school activities, and to alleviate traffic problems by decreasing the number of private vehicles on the road. The proposed budget includes an increase of $1.6 million for the Transit Agency for various initiatives. New or expanded routes are proposed in Waikoloa, Pahoa, and intra -Kona. Also funded will be handivan services in Hamakua and Ocean View/Pahala. The increase also includes expansion of boat day service, increased funding for shared ride taxi subsidy, funding of Council's transportation grants, maintenance, and local match for equipment purchases. These expenditures will be funded from an increase of 2¢ per gallon in the fuel tax rate. This fuel tax proposal will be submitted to the Council along with the proposed increase for the Highway Fund. OTHER PRIORITIES There are a number of other high priority projects that do not have a major impact on the proposed budget for next fiscal year, but will impact future budgets. These include: West Hawaii Roads and Traffic Finding solutions to relieve the Kona traffic congestion, as well as managing growth in the long-term, is of the highest priority. Operating budget expenditures and capital improvements will be directed to traffic system improvements, new mauka-makai connectors, mass transit service, and growth management and financing research. Public Safety Development of new police stations in South Kona and Puna are of the highest priority, and we are working on them. A new police substation in Pahoa, adjacent to the proposed new fire station, is also planned. Emergency Services Development of a new fire station in Pahoa is of the highest priority, as is the eventual replacement of the Honoka`a and Na`alehu stations. Affordable Housing The island is in crisis over the lack of affordable housing, and we have made this a priority that must be addressed in any way we can. This includes looking at ways to encourage the development of affordable housing (especially in parts of the island where housing costs are the highest), revision of the affordable housing policy, and making the County's land at Waikoloa available for affordable housing development.