Budget, Finance, Economic Development Committee – April 9, 2026

The Budget, Finance and Economic Development (BFED) Committee met on April 9, 2026, at 10:01 a.m. to consider the Mayor’s proposed Fiscal Year 2027 budget for the County of Maui. The committee received presentations from the Department of Agriculture and the Office of the Mayor, heard public testimony from 21 individuals representing a wide range of community organizations and businesses, and discussed the proposed budget provisions and revolving funds. No votes were taken; further deliberations will occur during decisions week.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Georgia Pinski (Maui Farmers Support Network) expressed gratitude for ongoing county support and requested continued funding at $140,000. She highlighted work on farmer coaching, a tool library, waste-to-agriculture programs, and a new women farmers’ initiative.
• Tirza Rogers (Maui Farmers Support Network Board Chair) thanked the committee and emphasized the network’s role in food security, mental health support for farmers, and community-building.
• Cesar Gaxiola (Walter Cameron Center) strongly supported a proposed $180,000 line item for planning and development, noting a waiting list of 15+ nonprofits seeking space.
• Sophie Sellers (Grow Some Good) requested continued funding of $150,000, reporting that in the past year the organization served over 9,000 students (5,000 Title I), harvested 26,000 pounds of food, and planted 1,500 trees.
• Cruz Lani and Ezekielani (Molokai High School FFA students) testified in support of the Department of Agriculture budget, stressing the importance of agricultural education, internship opportunities (e.g., MEDB STEMWorks), and protecting against invasive species.
• Bobby Pahia (Hawaii Terra Farm) praised the county’s investment in agriculture but urged a shift from reimbursement grants to upfront grants (like MEO’s model) to help farmers with cash flow.
• Hanale Colido (Hoomana Farms) described downsizing his hog operation from 1,000 to under 100 head due to a slaughterhouse bottleneck. He called for funding for a mobile/modular slaughterhouse and local feed production.
• Dr. Paige Okamoto, Kiani Kapeliela Bannister, Nikki Russell, and Dr. Judy Aikawa (Maui Humane Society) advocated for increased funding for spay/neuter ($255,000, an 8% increase), animal sheltering ($332,000 requested), humane enforcement, and a new Forever Pets program ($250,000 requested). Nikki Russell stated the shelter took in over 5,000 animals last year, humane enforcement responded to 4,100 calls, and Molokai services are critically under-resourced.
• Sharon Ka'apū (Kaipukukui) and Hāwanau Bernardis (Immigrant Services Coordinator, County) supported continued funding of $47,500 for the leadership development program.
• Travis Liggett proposed several legislative concepts (property tax reform, ecosystem rights, digital democracy) and urged passage of $1.8 million for Kahului wastewater plant design.
• Laurie Betzel (Lahaina resident) questioned the budget’s population assumptions (~160,000 vs realistic ~125,000) and urged prioritizing infrastructure, public safety, and economic recovery over general fund personnel increases.
• Rob Fence echoed support for MEO-style upfront grants and expressed opposition to property tax cuts for high-value homes.
• J.C. Law (Kula o Kāʻōkūʻāhua) supported the Department of Agriculture budget and cautioned against a proposed security screening device at the county building, calling it a hindrance to public participation.
• Tihani Kaʻalekahi (Sustainable Molokai) requested continued support for the Keiki Mealbox program ($175,000 line item), which served 600 children per week for six weeks in 2025 and plans to expand to 700 per week for eight weeks.

Discussion Items

Department of Agriculture

• Director Arce and Deputy Hevaheva presented a proposed budget with a 38.3% increase in salaries/wages (collective bargaining and salary commission) and a 10.5% increase in operations (new personnel, office rental, and expanded grant programs). Three new positions were requested: Grants Management Specialist IV, Accountant III, and Research Statistician I.
• Competitive grants were outlined for FY27: agriculture operations, infrastructure, education, recovery, feral animal control (for Lānaʻi and Molokaʻi), food is medicine, kalo/ulu/niu production, Lānaʻi agriculture, and livestock.
• Committee members asked about ag theft/vandalism, the slaughterhouse bottleneck, water access (Kula Ag Park reservoir and 12-inch waterline), and the agriculture emergency action plan timeline (in progress with TetraTech).
• Director Arce confirmed that administrative rules for the department have not yet been drafted; house rules have progress.
• Member Batangan questioned the director’s role as a voting member on the Kula Ag Park Committee, citing a potential conflict of interest. The director stated code changes are underway to make that role non-voting.
• Member Rollins Fernandez inquired about revised conditions for microgrants to align with the Food and Nutrition Security Plan; staff confirmed alignment is intended.

Office of the Mayor

• Chief of Staff Lalo and Budget Director Milner highlighted the creation of a Grants Division (pilot in Mayor’s Office, planned transition to Department of Management in FY28), a new Small Grants Program (up to $25,000), and consolidation of residency area funds.
• Makahiki Season line item ($1 million total) was explained as a grant program for local entities to host events, not a tourism marketing expense. $150,000 is for framework/marketing; the rest is competitive grants.
• Section 15 of the general budget provisions proposes directing excess general excise tax revenues directly to the GET fund. Section 19 adds revenue bonds as a financing option and increases the cap on unreimbursed transfers to $150 million. Budget Director Milner said the change to quarterly CIP report language was unintentional and will be reverted.
• Member Batangan questioned salary increases for non-union employees (e.g., EA2s) via WARP and EO 202502, calling four director-level salaries in the Mayor’s Office excessive. Chief of Staff Lalo defended the need for competitive wages to retain appointed staff.
• Member Lee asked about economic development plans to offset job losses from Bill 900; staff cited workforce development programs and career pathways but could not provide specific job creation targets.
• Member Uʻu-Hodgins criticized salary increases for appointed staff while first responders face step freezes and pay reduction, calling it “wild” and “not cool.”
• Member Paulton raised concerns about disjointed communications (website, social media) and the $1 million Makahiki season allocation, asking for more detail. She also noted the fireworks auditor revolving fund (letter K) generates insufficient revenue and suggested merging it with the fire hazard removal fund.
• Member Johnson requested data on grant applications and awards (e.g., Farm to Family had 15 applications for $3M total, only 4 awarded $900K). He also asked about the Green Print update; staff said there is no current progress on consultant selection and funding may be added via amendment.

General Budget Provisions & Revolving Funds

• Committee reviewed proposed changes to Section 15 (GET revenue) and Section 19 (revenue bonds). The quarterly CIP report change is a mistake and will be reverted.
• Revolving fund balances (as of 3/31/26) were distributed. Members noted several funds have zero balances: County Park Special (E), Letter G (not specified), and Landscape/Beautification (T). The Hawaiian Cultural Restoration Revolving Fund (N) was discussed in detail; a bill (Bill 63) proposes expanding use to the entire Royal Complex area but raises questions about revenue generation (parking lot at Mokuʻula) and annual reporting.

Key Outcomes

• No votes were taken. All items are deferred to decisions week (week of April 13–17).
• Follow-up questions to the Office of the Mayor (OM2) are due by 4:30 p.m. on April 14, 2026, after responses are received by end of day Monday, April 13.
• Managing director’s responses to committee questions are expected no later than April 10; follow-up due date will be determined.
• The schedule for upcoming meetings was adjusted: April 10 will feature Public Works, DPS Personnel, and OEV (if available); April 16 will include Department of Emergency Management and MEMA (1:00–4:00 p.m.), followed by the Kahului-Wailuku residency area meeting at 6:00 p.m.
• The committee will revisit the Hawaiian Cultural Restoration Revolving Fund when OEV Resources can appear (likely next week).
• The fireworks auditor revolving fund may be merged into the fire hazard removal fund pending confirmation from fire department leadership.