The Maui County Council is poised Tuesday to pass measures that reduce tax rates for owner-occupied homes giving many homeowners some relief.

A number of homeowners have testified that even with the rate discounts, their property taxes will be going up because of rising assessments. Meanwhile, the proposed budget is also going up from $1.26 billion in fiscal year 2024-25 to $1.55 million in fiscal year 2025-26.

The meeting is scheduled to begin at 9 a.m. at the Maui County Council at the Kalana O Maui building. Earlier Maui County Mayor Richard Bissen had proposed a $1.51 billion budget.

The County Council added projects to Bissen’s proposal, including $12 million for Maui United Way, $14 million toward affordable housing at Lipoa Apartments, $10 million for county employee health care benefits and $7.4 million for temporary hazard pay for firefighters.

The proposed budget also continues to support Maui wildfire disaster recovery and a proposed expansion of affordable housing, as Bissen’s administration has proposed 12 housing projects totaling 843 units.

According to the county, property values have been increasing over the past five years with assessments going up by about 12% in 2024, 4.2% in 2023 and 19.8% in 2022. A number of homeowners who testified this year said their assessments have increased by 30% to 40%.

Under the council’s proposal, the tax rates for owner-occupied homes valued up to $1.3 million would drop from $1.80 to $1.65 per $1,000 of assessed valuation.

The proposed rate would be $1.80 for properties assessed from more than $1.3 million to $4.5 million, and $5.75 for properties valued at more than $4.5 million.

Non-owner occupied houses would be taxed at $5.87 per $1,000 of assessed valuation up to $1 million, $8.60 for properties over $1 million to $3 million, and $17 for properties above $3 million.

The rate for apartments is $3.50 per $1,000 of assessed valuation, $12 for hotels and resorts, and $16.60 for timeshares.

For travel vacation rentals, the rate is $12.50 per $1,000 of assessed valuation up to $1 million in value, $13.50 for properties valued from more than $1 million to $3 million, and $16.50 for properties over $3 million in assessed valuation.

Other proposed rates including agricultural, conservation, commercial, industrial and commercialized residential may be found at www.mauicounty.gov/ArchiveCenter/ViewFile/Item/32762.