LIHUE — Mayor Bernard Carvalho Jr. on Friday signed into law the budget ordinance for fiscal year 2014. He praised the collaboration with the Kauai County Council and credited early planning for a “prudent” outcome. The final budget, approved by
LIHUE — Mayor Bernard Carvalho Jr. on Friday signed into law the budget ordinance for fiscal year 2014. He praised the collaboration with the Kauai County Council and credited early planning for a “prudent” outcome.
The final budget, approved by the council May 28, includes $159.36 million for operational expenses, and $49.93 million for capital improvement projects. FY 2014 starts July 1.
“The collaboration between administration and council during the budget process this year was unprecedented,” Carvalho said in a news release.
He said the administration began preparing for the budget last fall, which made a “huge difference” during the six weeks of budget discussions at the council chambers from late March until May.
The result, Carvalho said, was a “prudent and responsible budget” for the upcoming fiscal year.
Council Chair Jay Furfaro and his budget team joined Carvalho and county Finance Department staff for the budget signature.
“We’re pleased to participate in the signing,” Furfaro said in a release. “It’s a true testament to the effort put forth by the administration and the council, and it emphasizes the collaboration that we committed to this budget session.”
Furfaro said the council, the administration and their staff members worked tirelessly to develop a budget that was fiscally responsible, realistic and addressed the needs of the island’s community.
“Mahalo also to the department heads, deputies, division heads and valuable county employees who worked diligently to answer the council’s many questions,” he said.
The FY 2014 operating budget represents a reduction of roughly 3.5 percent from the current fiscal year. The CIP budget represents a 22 percent reduction from the current year, according to county officials.
“Even with significant reductions our commitment is to insure that service to the public remains at the highest possible level,” Carvalho said. “And we are committed to improving conditions in our parks and public places, as I detailed in my State of the County address.”
Visit www.kauai.gov/finance/reports to view FY 2014 budget.
• Léo Azambuja, staff writer, can be reached at 245-0452 or lazambuja@ thegardenisland.com.
