WAILUKU – Mayor Michael Victorino and his administration will host a series of community meetings in September and October to receive comments and suggestions from the public regarding the proposed budget for the Fiscal Year 2020-2021.

“I value the opportunity for our community members to have a say on the taxes and fees that are implemented by the county, and how their taxpayer dollars are spent,” said Victorino.

“This is my first opportunity to hear from the community as we craft the Fiscal Year 2021 Budget. Suggestions from the public help us prioritize what is best for our community and understand how to better serve our residents.

Tables will be set up to allow directors and staff from each county department to meet with members of the public, hear budget-related needs, listen to concerns and answer questions about various county-related issues.

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

Each community meeting will begin with an overview of the current budget, followed by approximately one hour for attendees to submit comments at the various department tables.

At the end of the meeting, the mayor and budget director will provide a recap of the issues that were raised by the attendees.

The meeting schedule is: West Maui – Wednesday, Sept. 18, at 5:30 p.m. in the Lahaina Civic Center Social Hall; Central Maui – Monday, Sept. 30, at 5:30 p.m. at Velma McWayne Santos (Wailuku) Community Center; Paia/Haiku – Monday, Oct. 7, at 5:30 p.m. at Paia Community Center; South Maui – Tuesday, Oct. 8, at 5:30 p.m. at Kihei Community Center; Molokai – Monday, Oct. 21, at 3:30 p.m. at Mitchell Pauole Complex; Lanai – Tuesday, Oct. 22, at 3:30 p.m. at Hale Kupuna O’Lana’i (Hale Mahaolu); and East Maui – Monday, Oct. 28, at 5 p.m. at Helene Hall.

For more information on the community meetings, contact the County of Maui Budget Office at 270-7855 or visit www.mauicounty.gov/Budget.

Staff from the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) office will also be on hand to offer information and gather public input on the use of the county’s funds from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

The Community Development Block Grant is a federal program created by Title I of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974 (Public Law 93-383). CDBG funds received will be utilized for housing and community development needs, primarily benefiting low and moderate income persons.

For information on CDBG, contact the County of Maui CDBG Program Office at 270-7213 or visit www.mauicounty.gov/CDBG.