Summary
Mayor Bissen's proposed budget raises spending by about $60 million (3.8 percent). West Maui residents say rising taxes and fees are pricing families off the island, and want more scrutiny of spending.
At a glance
- Total mentions
- 11
- Last 30 days
- 0
Last discussed Apr 27, 2026.
Impact analysis
A roughly $60 million, 3.8% spending increase over the prior year.
Residents receiving county services if the spending holds, though rising costs burden taxpayers.
Taxpayers facing higher taxes and fees in one of the nation's most expensive states.
Mentions & discussions (11)
Budget, Finance, and Economic Development Committee (2025-2027) — April 27, 2026
The committee finished shaping the county's roughly $1.6 billion budget and sent it to the full council for first reading. Member Johnson noted the county budget has grown from $400,000 in its first year to $1.6 billion today.
Budget, Finance, and Economic Development Committee (2025-2027) — April 24, 2026
Mayor Bissen's proposed budget for the fiscal year starting July 1, 2026 was up for the committee's first review. It sets what the county spends on services, roads, parks and more — and shapes whether taxes go up.
Budget, Finance, and Economic Development Committee (2025-2027) — April 23, 2026
The committee is deep in add-and-cut mode on the Mayor's proposed budget, with about $30 million cut and $40 million added so far — but a $17 million general fund gap still has to be closed, likely through property tax decisions on Friday. What survives these deliberations shapes county services, staffing, and your tax bill.
Budget, Finance, and Economic Development Committee (2025-2027) — April 22, 2026
The committee is shaping which departments and programs get county money next year — adding millions in community grants while cutting vacant positions and low-priority capital projects to keep the budget balanced. Final recommendations and balancing come Thursday and Friday.
Budget, Finance, and Economic Development Committee (2025-2027) — April 17, 2026
Mayor Bissen's proposed budget raises spending by about $60 million (3.8 percent). West Maui residents say rising taxes and fees are pricing families off the island, and want more scrutiny of spending.
Budget, Finance, and Economic Development Committee (2025-2027) — April 16, 2026
The Department of Environmental Management wants a 13.5% budget increase and a 9% sewer rate hike, pushing the average single-family monthly sewer bill from $92.40 to $103.75. Officials say steady smaller increases avoid the painful 20-40% spikes of past decades, but members want details on which projects the rates fund.
Budget, Finance, and Economic Development Committee (2025-2027) — April 8, 2026
The Mayor's proposed budget comes packaged with ten bills (operating budget, capital program, $195.9M in bonds, lapsed bond reauthorization, state water loans, a fiscal reserve fund, solid waste and Lahaina fund changes, EV charging fees) and fuel tax rates. The committee is reviewing department by department before any decisions.
Budget, Finance, and Economic Development Committee (2025-2027) — April 7, 2026
The committee is working through Mayor Bissen's proposed budget, including operating and capital bills, bond authorization, and fee changes. Decisions here set what services get funded — from senior meals to bus service — for the year starting July 1.
Budget, Finance, and Economic Development Committee (2025-2027) — April 1, 2026
The committee opened deliberations on the mayor's $1.6 billion budget, covering property tax tier changes, a 9.5% water fee revenue increase, solid waste fund increases, and how to handle 500+ county vacancies alongside 90 proposed new positions. Members also flagged that the mayor's proposal didn't include Kona Low storm costs.
Budget, Finance, and Economic Development Committee (2025-2027) — March 25, 2026
The mayor's budget arrived today; deliberations start April 1 with residency-area meetings across the island. Chair Sugimura wants every proposed addition paired with a cut, which drew pushback from Rawlins-Fernandez and a suggestion from Sinenci to consider raising fees instead.
Special Committee on Real Property Tax Reform — March 3, 2026
Maui Tomorrow built a free calculator that shows instantly how changing tax rates or tier thresholds would shift county revenue. Members expect to use it alongside official Finance Department numbers during the April budget session.
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