mtanji@mauinews.com
A Maui County Council committee is proposing an $842.6 million budget that would use higher hotel taxes to generate more revenue for affordable housing. The Maui News / MATTHEW THAYER photos
A Maui County Council committee is proposing an $842.6 million budget that would increase the current budget by about $20 million and rely on tax hikes for hotels to fund more affordable housing.
The Budget, Finance and Economic Development Committee finished reviewing Mayor Michael Victorino’s proposal last week and moved forward its own version, which includes at least $9 million more than the mayor budgeted for affordable housing, Committee Chairwoman Keani Rawlins-Fernandez said on Thursday.
kcerizo@mauinews.com
Maui County is mulling the purchase of a 6.3-acre, $9.8 million parcel in Wailuku that includes The Maui News buildings. Some testifiers and county officials say it would save the county money on rent, though others are concerned about making the purchase during the pandemic.
The Maui News / COLLEEN UECHI photo
Testifiers and financial advisers used the county’s decision not to purchase One Main Plaza in arguing Wednesday that Maui County could save rent money by acquiring a 6.3-acre, $9.8 million parcel in Wailuku that includes The Maui News offices.
One Main Plaza, a six-story professional building housing several county agencies, has cost the county more than $21 million in rent and common area maintenance since 2006, county Finance Director Scott Teruya said during the Maui County Council’s Budget, Finance and Economic Development Committee meeting Wednesday night.