The County Council yesterday started drilling department heads over their funding requests in Mayor Bryan Baptiste’s proposed $155.7 million annual operating budget for the next fiscal year. The weeklong review process wraps up Tuesday at the Historic County Building. “When
The County Council yesterday started drilling department heads over their funding requests in Mayor Bryan Baptiste’s proposed $155.7 million annual operating budget for the next fiscal year.
The weeklong review process wraps up Tuesday at the Historic County Building.
“When the administration comes to ask for money, they need to justify it,” Councilman Mel Rapozo said. “It’s that simple.”
County Finance Director Wally Rezentes Jr. opened the mostly methodical day, although some discussion with the mayor bordered on argumentative, by painting an economic outlook picture for the council.
He pulled on recent reports from the University of Hawai‘i Economic Research Organization and the state Council on Revenues, which have indicated a downward trend.
“The future doesn’t look all that great as far as the economy is concerned,” Baptiste said.
The Council of Revenues on March 12 adjusted its forecast of state general fund tax revenues for fiscal year 2008 from 4.8 to 3.9 percent.
The March 21 UHERO report, which notes a national economy in recession and Norwegian Cruise Lines pulling out two Hawai‘i cruise ships, predicts little growth over the next two years.
It readjusted a forecast of 3 percent increase in visitor arrivals to the islands in 2008 to a 1.9 percent decrease. But Rezentes noted that Kauai’s visitor numbers are expected to continue to grow.
“The bottom line,” the mayor said, “is we’re trying to take a real conservative approach to the budget.”
Energy talk consumed the biggest chunk of the two hours allotted to the mayor in the morning session for him to present an overview of his budget, which grew 4.7 percent over last year.
Baptiste’s proposed capital improvement program budget for fiscal year 2008-2009, which runs from July 1 to June 30, is $61.2 million.
After acknowledging the mayor’s plan to explore solar energy options to power county buildings, Councilwoman JoAnn Yukimura said she needs to know the administration’s strategy for energy conservation including measurable goals with target dates.
“I want to see the big picture,” she said.
Councilwoman Shaylene Iseri-Carvalho pointed at “uncomfortably freezing” conditions at the county Prosecutor’s Office. She said a solution, which would likely involve allowing employees to control the thermostat, could have been implemented when she first brought it to the administration’s attention three years ago.
“We are working on those things as we speak,” Baptiste said.
Wasting energy at other people’s discomfort makes no sense, Yukimura said.
Utility costs for the county are up $462,000.
The council allowed Baptiste’s time to spill 30 minutes into the next scheduled session of department reviews, which featured the Office of Economic Development, Office of the County Attorney and the Prosecuting Attorney/Victim Witness Program.
Beth Tokioka, director of the county Office of Economic Development, said she recognized the county’s need to tighten its belt and told council her requests are basically to maintain existing programs.
She noted $500,000 annually for up to 25 islandwide festivals. She also said the office wants to continue its greeting program, which includes regular entertainment at the pier and airport.
Tokioka highlighted the Kaua‘i Made project, Web site success, a Sunshine Markets study, coqui frog project and $60 million the office estimates the Tropic Thunder film production brought in expenditures on island.
Three days are set aside, starting April 10, for departmental call-backs and additional budget reviews. Unanswered questions are expected to be addressed at this time.
Noting a ticking clock, Rapozo said he would support extending the call-back days to ensure a complete budget process.
The council on May 12 starts its decision-making and deliberation after the mayor resubmits his revised budget May 8.
The extra $7 million in operating expenses over 2008 stems from $7.2 million in additional fixed costs and a decrease in variable costs of $203,000, the mayor said March 14 when he released his proposed budget.
Much discussion over the next several days is expected to focus on the mayor’s request for some 15 new positions, officials said.
Budget reviews include Parks and Recreation Department, Liquor Department, Civil Defense Agency and Kaua‘i Humane Society.
The next budget review session, scheduled to start at 9 a.m., Thursday, at the Historic County Building, will feature the county Parks and Recreation Department, Liquor Commission, Civil Defense Agency and Kaua‘i Humane Society.
• Nathan Eagle, staff writer, can be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 224) or neagle@kauaipubco.com
