Budget committee actions at a glance: transfers approved, two tax measures postponed, Bill 60 set for public hearing

The Honolulu City Committee on Budget acted on multiple items April 1. Key outcomes reported to full council or advanced from committee were:

- Bill 2 (cleanup amendments): The committee amended Bill 2 to a posted CD1 and reported it out for second reading and scheduling of a public hearing. The chair said the proposed CD1 was posted and available; no public testimony was received at committee.

- Resolution 25‑87 (salary transfers): The committee reported Resolution 25‑87 out for adoption. The resolution authorizes transfers not to exceed $778,800 in General Fund monies and $4,000 in Liquor Fund monies to cover authorized pay increases and accrued vacation payouts; Liquor Commission administrator and Budget staff were present to answer questions. The committee recorded no objections and advanced the resolution for adoption.

- Resolution 25‑62 (2026–2030 Consolidated Plan): The committee reported the consolidated plan and FY26 action plan to the full council for adoption. Staff indicated the plan will prioritize nonprofit acquisitions with current CDBG funds and that HOPWA funding will transition to state allocation next year.

- Bill 60 (sewer fees): The committee amended Bill 60 to a CD1 put forward by Council Chair Waters (adopted by committee with modifications) that sets a 4% increase for 2025 and blanks out proposed dollar figures for years beginning 07/01/2026 to permit further work with the administration. Bill 60 was reported out for second reading and scheduling of a public hearing.

- Bill 17 and Bill 45 (real property tax measures): The committee postponed action on Bill 17 (homeowner exemption increase) and Bill 45 (real property tax credit) to a date and time to be determined by the chair to allow further study and possible formation of a permitted interaction group to review tax relief measures.

- Resolution 25‑90 (mobile hygiene trailers): The committee reported Resolution 25‑90 authorizing transfer not to exceed $300,000 in General Fund monies to purchase two mobile hygiene trailers for use with transitional housing and homeless services; the committee advanced the resolution for adoption.

- Resolution 25‑84 (DTS software subscription): The committee reported Resolution 25‑84 authorizing an intradepartmental transfer not to exceed $271,971.59 to continue a 4.5‑month software subscription supporting bus and rail service integration and planning; staff said the purchase was a timing gap not included in the current year equipment budget.

How the committee handled votes: in each case the chair called for objections and, finding none, declared the measure amended or reported; the transcript records no roll‑call tallies. Committee members discussed programmatic details and requested follow‑up information (for example, bond documents and billing lead times for the sewer rate item) before full‑council action or public hearing.