Mayor Victorino signs Fiscal Year 2023 budget ordinance

Mayor Michael Victorino signed into law today the Fiscal Year 2023 Budget Bills. The new spending plan goes into effect July 1.

"Today we take a major step on our road to recovery by signing the Fiscal Year 2023 budget," Mayor Victorino said. "This budget represents a vital investment in our future, to ensure the people of Maui County can thrive in a changing world."

Joining Mayor Victorino for today's budget signing ceremony were Maui County Council Chair Alice Lee, Council Vice Chair and Budget, Finance and Economic Development Chair Keani Rawlins-Fernandez and Councilmembers Tasha Kama, Kelly King, Mike Molina, Tamara Paltin and Yuki-lei Sugimura.

"We focused primarily on the health and safety of our residents during the pandemic," Mayor Victorino said. "Now comes the time to rebuild and revive the things that make Maui County no ka oi."

Budget Highlights

• The total budget is $1.069 Billion
• The County's operating budget is $805.9 million
• Operation include the new Maui County Department of Agriculture, which will help diversify our economy and strengthen residents' self-reliance
• Lower real property taxes for owner-occupied homes valued below $1 million
• Increasing property tax rates on properties used as short-term rentals
• Other highlights:
  • $32.7 million for the Affordable Housing Fund, in addition to $5.5 million in grants for affordable rental programs and support for new homebuyers
  • Investments in supporting locally grown foods, including $3 million in grants to help farmers and rancher to boost their business
  • $3.8 million for the Park Maui Project, to control county-owned parking for the benefit of our residents while generating revenue from visitors
• FY 2023 capital improvement budget is $263.8 million. Highlights include:
  • $55.5 million for wastewater projects, including the new Central Maui Wastewater Reclamation Facility that will expedite new home construction
  • $28.2 million for roadway improvements
  • $28.6 million for Parks and Recreation
  • $43 million for the Halau of Oiwi Art in Wailuku Town

"We are also working with U.S. Senator Brian Schatz on funding some projects through the Congressional Directed Spending process. He is working to support the Halau of Oiwi Art project in Wailuku, and improvements to the former Hawaiian Telcom Building to consolidate operations of the Maui Emergency Management Agency and our Information Technology Division," Mayor Victorino said. "Senator Mazie Hirono is also using to same process to get federal money for improvements to the Maui Police Department's emergency communications systems in West Maui. We should know by the end of 2022 if we will receive approximately $11 million from their heartfelt efforts. I want to thank Senators Schatz and Hirono for their ongoing support for Maui County in Washington, D.C."