WAILUKU - With Maui County Council committees set, goals under discussion and promises of cooperation made, it's now up to the newly installed members to prove that they can accomplish their campaign pledges.
Friday marked the establishment of a new County Council with Danny Mateo of Molokai as its chairman.
In opening the new council term, Mayor Charmaine Tavares said that despite the obvious challenges ahead with the faltering economy and increased unemployment, she is looking forward to working with this group.
"We are in this together, you and I," Tavares said.
With these challenges should come a new hope and especially a sense of urgency on their parts, Mateo said.
Mateo reorganized the council work into eight committees so each member heads one. Each council member is now more of a stakeholder, he said. He expects more communication and accountability as a result.
"I think it's really important that we have a team here, and I believe that team concept is equally important to him (Mateo)," said Council Member Gladys Baisa, who holds the Upcountry residency.
The very first priority will be formulating an austere budget for fiscal year 2010-11, said Council Member Mike Victorino. Council budget discussions open when the mayor presents her proposed annual spending plan in mid-March.
"I believe we're looking at 12 to 15 percent less (tax and fees) revenue, according to an early estimate by the Department of Finance," Victorino said. "The reality is we will have no choice in the matter: We are going to have to do more with less."
Victorino, who holds the Wailuku seat, also noted that since 2002, the county's contributions to nonprofits for public services have tripled to $46 million for this fiscal year.
"I don't know how we can continue to give as much or more," he said.
The county budget, more than $500 million in the current fiscal year, will need to be balanced. Neither Victorino nor the other council members he's consulted with have any interest in raising taxes or fees.
Both Mateo and new Vice Chairman Mike Molina say that water is the No. 1 priority of the incoming council, which has plenty of experience.
Seven members were re-elected and the other two, Sol Kaho'ohalahala and Wayne Nishiki, previously were elected to the council. Council Member Jo Anne Johnson of West Maui, who had supported the more experienced Molina as council chairman, said it showed class for him to avoid what could have been an ugly floor fight for the two-year leadership post.
Nishiki thanked Mateo for his inclusiveness in organizing the committees. Nishiki will head the Public Services Committee, which oversees public safety, affordable housing programs and social service grants.
Victorino will chair the Water Resources Committee, which was run by former Council Member Michelle Anderson, who stepped down to move back to the Mainland. He listed the committee's concerns in order: Develop more water storage, develop new sources, complete a countywide water resource and development plan, complete protocols for the water department and its community advisory committee.
"We have to be ready to move when whatever money becomes available from (President-elect) Obama's Main Street stimulus package," Victorino said, referring to a wish list from the U.S. Conference of Mayors presented to Obama's economic transition team seeking more than $700 billion in projects.
Housing developments with affordable components such as Waikapu and Maui Lani have been waiting on water, he said.
What Victorino said he does not expect to revisit anytime soon is the "show me the water" ordinance, which requires developers to provide their own sustainable water source for their projects.
The new County Council has created an Economic Development, Agriculture and Recreation Committee and an Infrastructure Management Committee. Council Member Sol Kaho'ohalahala is a member of the Infrastructure Management Committee.
Council Member Bill Medeiros of Hana sits on the Planning Committee, which will take up the controversial transient vacation rental bill this year - probably after the budget is dealt with, he said.
"It's going to take a lot of work," Medeiros said.
Allowing short-term rentals is considered by many in the business community to be a form of local economic stimulus. The council has approved a bill for permitting bed-and-breakfast operations, but the issue of transient vacation rentals - short-term rentals on property where the owner does not live on site - is more problematic for the county, where effects on neighbors is an issue. Proponents argue for both forms in residential areas saying they provide a more authentic vacation experience.
Opponents, including the Tavares administration, would keep vacation rentals in resort/hotel districts where they are currently allowed without special permits and where neighbors are less likely to complain about short-term visitors.
"I think times are going to be tough, but I believe that's when we find the best in ourselves," Victorino said.
Chris Hamilton can be reached at chamilton@mauinews.com.
* This story includes a correction adding information on council committees.
