Maui County Council BFED Committee Budget Hearing: Department of Public Works and Personnel Services (April 10, 2026)

The Maui County Council Budget, Finance, and Economic Development (BFED) Committee, chaired by Yukile Sugimura, convened on April 10, 2026, to review the Fiscal Year 2027 budget proposals for the Department of Public Works (DPW) and the Department of Personnel Services (DPS). The meeting heavily emphasized critical staffing shortages, competitive compensation challenges, disaster recovery demands, and the logistical constraints of space and technology. Director Jordan Molina (DPW) and Director Cynthia Porter (DPS) led their departments in answering extensive questions from council members. Public testimony included significant concerns over Lahaina housing preservation and staffing struggles.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Autumn Ness (Lahaina Community Land Trust): Testified on the urgent need for land acquisition in Lahaina to combat speculative purchasing. She expressed confusion and concern that a proposed $6,000,000 general fund allocation for LCLT was replaced by a $2,461,000 award from the Affordable Housing Fund, which has stricter income limits, potentially hindering their flexibility to protect homes for moderate-income families. She requested the committee restore general fund support.
• Travis Liggett: Proposed a “Maui’s First” sustainability framework seeking investment, and a Limu (algae) based biofuel solution for wastewater treatment to offset fuel costs.
• Christopher Salem: Stated he wants to work with DPW Director Molina on Lahaina reconstruction but is constrained by personal litigation. He criticized developer loopholes regarding infrastructure fees.
• Jim Lankford: Advocated for apprenticeship and kupuna wage protection programs linked to affordable housing developments.
• Sam Small: Raised Sunshine Law concerns over the public not knowing which departments would appear, and criticized perceived systemic failures between the Planning Department and Public Works regarding developer loopholes.
• Unnamed In-Person Testifier: Requested a sidewalk from Alanui to the Kula Post Office.

Department of Public Works (DPW) Discussion

Staffing & Efficiency Challenges: DPW Director Jordan Molina reported 60 vacancies, with only 12 considered “true” vacancies not yet in the recruitment pipeline. He highlighted the extreme difficulty in hiring engineers due to empty recruitment lists and uncompetitive pay for supervisors, causing a heavy reliance on overtime. The department identified its DSA (clerical) staff as significantly underpaid, contributing to high turnover.

Budget and Priorities: Director Molina explicitly identified the DPW Base Yard Facilities program as the lowest priority and a potential area for budget cuts, stating crews have operated in outdated facilities for decades. He confirmed the North-South Collector Road remains a top priority tied to a strict September 2027 RAISE grant deadline, and that eminent domain may be necessary to acquire remaining right-of-way parcels.

Storm & Flood Response: Councilmembers praised DPW crews for their response to the Conalo storms. The department discussed ongoing flood mitigation projects with NRCS and the need for pre-existing emergency contracts to quickly deploy contractors during disasters. DPW confirmed a long-term plan for the Hana base yard and cemetery operations.

Technology & Customer Service: Director Molina stressed improving the utilization of existing systems like ComConnect and GIS for public reporting and internal planning, though GIS staffing remains a challenge. He acknowledged the department is slow to adopt and integrate new technological tools.

Department of Personnel Services (DPS) Discussion

Core Staffing & Workspace Issues: DPS Director Cynthia Porter noted a 16% budget increase primarily for document digitization, a fraud investigator, and a recruitment-focused PIO. The department operates with significant space constraints, with a planned move to the old courthouse delayed until potentially December 2027, preventing the addition of more staff despite high needs. Councilmember Batangan urged DPS to explore leasing space.

Performance & Compensation Policy: This dominated the conversation. The current performance evaluation system was widely described as a “disincentive” for high performers, offering no reward. Director Porter confirmed DPW’s proposed departmental bonus program was rejected in favor of developing a countywide program, which is still in preliminary stages, taking over a year to formulate policies. The council expressed deep frustration with the pace of progress.

Recruitment & Hiring Process: The council probed the distinction between active and inactive vacancies and the role DPS plays versus individual departments. DPS stated departments control interviews and selections, and that the main challenge is the timeliness of these actions. The county’s HR-to-employee ratio (27 HR staff) falls short of the national standard (50), undermining recruitment efforts.

Union Negotiations & Compensation: A supplemental agreement with HGEA is under negotiation but not yet public. DPS confirmed Bargaining Unit 3 and 4 have no step movements in their contracts. The council discussed the potential for supplemental agreements to address union wages, and the option of piloting a performance bonus program for the lowest-paid workers first.

DM-89 Employees: Discussion arose around the use of DM-89 temporary hires, noting that state bills regarding their use have died. DPS acknowledged some departments are using DM-89s as a permanent solution rather than filling positions from recruitment lists.

Key Outcomes

• Public Testimony: Oral testimony was closed. Written testimony remains open for review.
• Ongoing Questions: Committee members will submit any remaining written questions to departments by Monday, April 13, at 9:00 AM.
• Departmental Next Steps: DPW and DPS will provide detailed written responses to the committee’s budget questions (PW2/PS2).
• Meeting Recess: The meeting recessed at 3:24 PM and will reconvene on Monday, April 13, 2026, at 9:00 AM to hear testimony from the Office of Economic Vitality (OEV) and the Maui Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) regarding the FY27 budget.