Hawai?i County Mayor Harry Kim last Friday submitted his proposed budget of nearly $574 million for the next fiscal year, which begins in July.
Kim’s proposed budget is more than $55 million or nearly 11 percent larger than the current budget. Kim attributes nearly half the increase, or $26 million, to employee salaries and benefits plus the addition of 35 new employees for Hawai?i County police.
The budget is a first cut. The Hawai?i County Council will now do its analysis, and has scheduled departmental budget reviews for April.
The final budget must be approved no later than June 30th.