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.40-57 Os h ; Walter K.M. Lau <br /> Managing Director <br /> William P. Kenoi :.i ` "'\*/;+ <br /> Mayor ▪ -f Randall M.Kurohara <br /> ▪ _Vi•µ;'`` Deputy Managing Director <br /> 'rAtfosH'� <br /> County of Hawaii <br /> Office of the Mayor <br /> 25 Aupuni Street,Suite 2603 • Hilo,Hawaii 96720 • (8o8)961-8211 • Fax(808)961-6553 <br /> KONA: 74-5044 Ane Keohokalole Hwy.,Bldg.C • Kailua-Kona,Hawaii 9674o <br /> (808)323-4444 • Fax(808)323-4440 <br /> February 28, 2014 <br /> J Yoshimoto, Chair -. <br /> And Honorable Members of the Hawai`i County Council <br /> County of Hawai`i <br /> 25 Aupuni Street <br /> Hilo, HI 96720 <br /> v <br /> Aloha Council Members: <br /> As required by the Hawai`i County Charter, submitted with this message is the proposed <br /> operating budget for the County of Hawai`i for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2015. This <br /> balanced budget includes estimated revenues and appropriations of$412,608,475, and includes <br /> the operations of eleven of the county's special funds as well as the general fund. <br /> This FY 2014-2015 budget is $9,403,477 or 2.3 percent larger than the budget in effect when this <br /> administration took office in 2008. During the past five years of budget challenges caused by the <br /> national and international recession, we have continued to invest in county infrastructure while <br /> restricting spending and coping with increased health care and other costs. This budget reflects <br /> those efforts to control the cost of government while always maintaining essential police, fire <br /> and other core county government services. <br /> After five years of declining revenues, we are finally witnessing a modest, measured recovery in <br /> property values. This will gradually translate into a stronger economy and a brighter budget <br /> picture. However, we also face a new challenge in the form of $18.4 million in additional <br /> employee expenses in the year ahead. Most of these costs were the result of public worker <br /> arbitration decisions and negotiated agreements that significantly increase salaries, wages, social <br /> security contributions and retirement obligations. These new employee and retiree costs reflect <br /> the difference between last year's budget and this year's budget. <br /> Despite those additional costs, this proposed balanced budget does not require any increase <br /> in property taxes. / <br /> Comm. No. (O ' <br /> Ref.To: Fe- <br /> Ref. Date rut 2 R ?014 <br /> 2-0p County of Hawaii is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer. <br /> / <br />