Council committee approves $604M Maui budget

WAILUKU, Maui — A council committee has approved a $604 million budget for Maui County.

The approved budget for the 2015 fiscal year is $18.5 million lower than Mayor Alan Arakawa’s proposed budget.

The Maui News reports the budget and finance committee is expected to meet Monday morning for final budget approval.

The budget reduces real property taxes by 3.1 percent and includes a minimum funding increase of 3 percent for most nonprofit organizations.

Committee Chairman Mike White says Saturday’s vote reaffirms the committee’s desire to provide tax relief, while maintaining a safety net for nonprofits.