Council moves on budget items, police transfer, housing and CIP amendments

The Maui County Council advanced multiple administrative and budgetary items during its April 17 meeting, including transfers within the police budget, capital-improvement appropriations, and several ordinance and first-reading actions tied to county infrastructure and recovery efforts.

Key council actions included: - Adopting a resolution to transfer $3,000,000 within the Department of Police FY2025 budget to cover unanticipated operational costs; the council approved the transfer after a committee review. (Resolution 25-87) - Passing on first reading a budget amendment (Bill 51, 2025) that adds funding to Phase 1 of a roadway project identified as a countywide traffic and safety program. - Approving small appropriations and clarifications for Department of Water Supply projects (Bills 52 and 53), including funds to address federal lead and copper rule compliance and to support Kahului economic-development cultural programs. - Considering and passing a number of second-reading ordinances that included a groundwater study partnership with the U.S. Geological Survey (Bill 19 CD1) and updates to the county flood-hazard code (Bill 28 CD1); council members said the groundwater work is crucial to West Maui due to post-fire water-supply uncertainty. - Advancing budget-related housekeeping measures, including filing and rescission steps for the mayor’s request on a supplemental budget measure (Bill 15 filed by council action to effect the mayor’s request).

The council also adopted ceremonial resolutions and appointments including a ceremonial resolution honoring the Seabury Hall boys basketball team (Resolution 25-91) and a personnel appointment for a legislative analyst in Council Services; those items were adopted with procedural votes recorded in the meeting minutes. Several items were referred or discharged to committees for further consideration. The clerk recorded votes and announced outcomes for each motion during the meeting.