Community Meetings Planned To Discuss County’s 2009-2010 Budget

It's that time of the year when lawmakers will decide how to spend the County's money – and you’re invited to join them.

Mayor Charmaine Tavares and her administration will host a series of community meetings this September to take public testimony regarding the proposed budget for the 2009-2010 fiscal year.
Citizens with an interest in the County budget are encouraged to attend a meeting in their local area and offer testimony as individuals or on behalf of an organization. Both written and verbal testimonies will be accepted.

The budget meetings are designed to provide an opportunity for members of the community to present what is needed for their area. Budget Director Fred Pablo will present the projects and initiatives of the administration specific to that community. Input from the community meetings will be taken into consideration when the administration constructs the fiscal year 2009-2010 budget.

"It is vital that the budget process start with input from the community," said Mayor Charmaine Tavares. "This information will be used to identify how the County can set priorities for its programs and capital projects to benefit our citizens."

Meeting times and locations are as follows:

Hana:
Thursday, September 4 at 5 p.m.; Helene Hall

Kihei/Makena:
Tuesday, September 9 at 5:45 p.m.; Kihei Community Center

Molokai:
Tuesday, September 16 at 5 p.m.; Mitchell Pauole Community Center

Makawao/Pukalani/Kula:
Wednesday, September 17 at 5:45 p.m.; Mayor Hannibal Tavares Community Center

Kahului/Wailuku:
Thursday, September 18 at 5:30 p.m.; Velma McWayne Santos (Wailuku) Community Center

Lahaina:
Tuesday, September 23 at 5:45 p.m.; Lahaina Civic Center

Paia/Haiku:
Wednesday, September 24 at 5:45 p.m.; Paia Community Center

Lanai:
Thursday, September 25 at 5 p.m.; Lanai Community Center

For more information on the budget meetings, contact the County of Maui Budget Office at 270-7855.

Each session will be preceded by presentations on the "Circuit Breaker" real property tax credit. Additionally, the program office of the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) will conduct public hearings preceding the Mayor's budget community meetings in Hana, Molokai, Kahului/Wailuku and Lanai. CDBG will gather views and comments from interested persons who wish to participate in the preparation of the County's proposed Annual Action Plan for the 2009-2010 fiscal year relating to the County's grant application for approximately $2,000,000 from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.
The Community Development Block Grant is a federal program created by Title I of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974 (Public Law 93-383). CDBG funds received will be utilized for housing and community development needs primarily benefitting low and moderate income persons.

For information on the CDBG public hearings, contact the County of Maui CDBG Program Office at 270-7213.