COM 0124.000 2004-2006 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home

Harry Kim Mayor Couutp of'Wabiail 25 Aupuni Street, Room 215 • Hilo, Hawaii 96720-4252 • (808) 961-8211 • Fax (808) 961-6553 KONA: 75-5706 Kuakini Highway, Suite 103 • Kailua-Kona, Hawaii 96740 (808)329-5226 • Fax (808)326-5663 March 1, 2005 Gary Safarik, Chairman and Members of the Hawaii County Council Hawaii County Council 25 Aupuni Street Hilo, HI 96720 Dear Chairman Safarik and Council Members: Dixie Kaetsu Managing Director Peter L. Hendricks Deputy Managing Director As required by the Hawaii County Charter, I am submitting to you with this message the proposed operating budget for the County of Hawaii for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2006. This balanced budget includes estimated revenues and appropriations of $277,449,000, and includes the operations of eleven of the County's special funds as well as the general fund. Preparation of the budget involves estimating costs such as debt service, retirement and medical insurance requirements and obtaining estimated expenditures from departments. This year, although the departments were instructed to submit a status quo spending plan, they were allowed to include inflationary increases and present additional needs in the form of supplemental budget requests. As you will see, the budget presented to you today is different in a significant way from previous budget submittals. Compared to the year 2000, the fiscal condition of the County today is greatly improved. Hawaii County has finally emerged from the economic slump that began in the 1970s when the sugar plantations in East Hawaii began to close. For many years, West Hawai`i's economy and growth were a positive factor that enabled the County to maintain services and avoid the personnel and other cutbacks that would otherwise have been necessary. The present economic prosperity enjoyed by much of the private sector islandwide is shared by the County government, and this budget reflects that status. REAL PROPERTY TAX Due to rising property values on the Big Island and the concern that these new values will translate to higher tax bills and a hardship for many of our residents, last year the Council adopted three ordinances that offer real property tax relief to qualified homeowners. As a result of the Council's action, homeowners are now assured of protection from increased property taxes caused by the extremely rapid inflation in real property values. These re��lief��, measures are described below. Comm. llj _ J, 4 Ref. To: _—� 7r—�L''��j¶� t}2 Ref. L)Cte , Iryl� j '-""" (Note: Detailed budget (Bill 42) and Volume II of the Operating Budget (County department budget proposals and program highlights) are on file in the Clerk's Office.) Hawaii County is an equal opportunity provider and employer.