Maui County Mayor Michael Victorino said Monday that pay cuts and furloughs for county workers are not being considered at this time, but added that “nothing’s off the table” as Hawaii continues to feel the economic effects of COVID-19.

“As we progress into this fiscal year, which has started July 1st, we will not hesitate to look at any necessary changes to or any methods of making sure our government not only stays well and stays servicing the people of Maui County, but protecting our employees to the best of our ability,” Victorino said during a news conference.

The mayor spoke in the wake of Gov. David Ige’s recent comments to the Honolulu Star-Advertiser that pay cuts or furloughs for the state’s public employees would be inevitable if the federal government didn’t provide more relief funding.

Victorino said that Maui County is looking at ways to save money, pointing out that the council already reduced spending when compiling the fiscal year 2020-21 budget. He added that the county is also in a hiring freeze and isn’t planning to bring on new employees “until we have a better understanding of what this COVID-19 will do to our economy.”

“We’re fortunate that we’re at a strong financial position at this time,” he said. “However, if we don’t take appropriate actions and keep an eye on what’s going on and not reopen slowly but methodically, we will face other challenges in the not-too-distant future.”

During the news conference, Victorino also announced that the county and Maui Family YMCA’s summer youth program kicked off Monday. The War Memorial Gym and Eddie Tam Gym are fully enrolled, and the YMCA will be accommodating families on the waiting list for Central and Upcountry locations starting next week. Spots are still available at the South Maui Community Park.

Families pay no more than $40 total for their children to participate in the county-subsidized program, and no one will pay more than $10 per week, Victorino said.

The program is open to children ages 4 to 12 years old, and a YMCA membership is not required. Parents can register at www.maui ymca.org/day-camps.

* Colleen Uechi can be reached at cuechi@mauinews.com.