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The Honorable Chairman Pete Hoffmann <br />and Members of the County Council <br />Page 8 <br />March I, 2007 <br />• Solid Waste Division -Increased operating expenses, $1.4 million. <br />-Additional equipment, $671,000. <br />-Increased recycling efforts, $467,000. <br />• Wastewater Division -Increased operating expenses, $452,000. <br />Debt Service — Expenditures are increasing by $6.1 million primarily due to: <br />• Debt Service -Current requirements plus projected $25 million new <br />issue. <br />Pension and Retirement — Expenditures are increasing by $2.3 million primarily due to: <br />• ERS/FICA <br />-Increase in employees and wages. <br />Health Fund — Expenditures are increasing by $4.7 million primarily due to: <br />• GASB 45 reserves -Increased estimated requirement for Other Post Employee <br />Benefits by $4 million. <br />Miscellaneous — Expenditures are increasing by $13.5 million primarily due to: <br />• Provision for Collective Bargaining Increases, $6.25 million. <br />• Increased Sewer Fund Replacement Reserve Repairs, $1.6 million. <br />• Increased Public Safety Disaster/Emergency Account, $350,000. <br />• Increased transfer to Budget Stabilization Fund, $3.0 million. <br />• Provided for transfer of 2% of real property taxes to Public Access, Open Space and <br />Natural Resources Preservation Fund, $4.349 million. <br />• Increased transfer to Disaster/Emergency Fund, $1.0 million. <br />CONCLUSION <br />Although this proposed budget is $32.4 million greater than the current year's budget, it <br />includes large expenditure items that will undoubtedly serve the long-term needs of <br />Hawaii's people. Required funding ($4.35 million) for the Public Access, Open Space, <br />and Natural Resources Preservation Fund will enable the County to acquire land for <br />recreation and education, preservation of historic and culturally important sites, <br />protection of natural resources, and preservation of forests, beaches, and coastal areas. <br />Also included are provisions to add more money to the Budget Stabilization (Rainy Day) <br />Fund ($4 million), the Disaster/Emergency Fund ($2 million), and the Self -Insurance <br />Fund ($1 million). These are all very important reserves for the future, as we try to <br />protect and insure the County against future economic downturns and emergencies. <br />