Mayor Alan Arakawa said, “This is their time to voice their opinions and tell us their priorities for their communities. Putting together the Maui County budget is a process in which everyone should have a part.”

LAHAINA – Mayor Alan Arakawa and his administration will host a community meeting on Monday, Oct. 1, at 6 p.m. at Lahaina Civic Center to take public testimony regarding the proposed budget for the 2013-14 fiscal year.

Citizens with an interest in the county budget are encouraged to attend and offer testimony, either as individuals or on behalf of an organization. Both written and verbal comments will be accepted.

These budget hearings are meant to provide an opportunity for members of the community to present what they believe is needed for their area.

Budget Director Sandy Baz will present the projects and initiatives of the administration specific to West Maui.

Input from the community meetings will be taken into consideration when the administration constructs the fiscal year 2013-14 budget.

“I encourage people to participate in these community meetings as much as possible,” said Mayor Arakawa.

The final Maui meeting is set for Tuesday, Oct. 2, at 5:45 p.m. at the Velma Santos Community Center in Wailuku.

For more information, call the county Budget Office at 270-7855.

The program office of the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) will conduct a public hearing before the community meeting in Central Maui. For information, call 270-7213.