When the county’s budget was recently released and sent to the council for review, the council began weeks of budget hearings to decide which items should be cut and/or added before approval. In the process the council met with all county agency heads. During the hearings, expanded bus service was discussed in response to years of public requests for increased service on weekends and holidays. We learned that currently the Kauai Bus costs the county just over $3 million to operate annually. To increase service would cost the county $950,000 if Kauai Bus was to provide the same service seven days a week. TGI reported on the large public turnout supporting expanded bus service Thursday, May 10. In a letter to the editor, May 16, Ken Taylor questioned the county priorities because of its proposal to use 1.1 million of taxpayer dollars to subsidize the Wailua Golf Course, making it one of the least expensive courses in the state. Steve Martin hit the nail on the head in his TGI commentary May 17: We need to fund a regional service that runs frequently with connecting service between regions.
When the county’s budget was recently released and sent to the council for review, the council began weeks of budget hearings to decide which items should be cut and/or added before approval. In the process the council met with all county agency heads. During the hearings, expanded bus service was discussed in response to years of public requests for increased service on weekends and holidays. We learned that currently the Kauai Bus costs the county just over $3 million to operate annually. To increase service would cost the county $950,000 if Kauai Bus was to provide the same service seven days a week. TGI reported on the large public turnout supporting expanded bus service Thursday, May 10. In a letter to the editor, May 16, Ken Taylor questioned the county priorities because of its proposal to use 1.1 million of taxpayer dollars to subsidize the Wailua Golf Course, making it one of the least expensive courses in the state. Steve Martin hit the nail on the head in his TGI commentary May 17: We need to fund a regional service that runs frequently with connecting service between regions.
When the county previously had considered expanding its bus service, there were insufficient funds available. That changed this year. Public testimony and a petition circulated in 2017 supported a .05 percent increase in the General Excise Tax “to fund expanded bus service.” That tax passed in December 2017, giving the county an anticipated $12.5 million in new revenue for the second half of the 2017-2018 fiscal year and at least $25 million in new revenue for each fiscal year to follow. This new revenue is specifically earmarked for “public transportation” — the bus, road repair and road construction. For those who heard the testimony on road repair and those who drive are very aware that there are millions of dollars in deferred road work. That said, I do agree with Mr. Taylor, it is very hard to understand how our county can apportion only $160,000 from the new public transportation revenue, which, according to the budget, is to be used for improved bus cleaning and maintenance, while using 1.1 million of taxpayer dollars to make up for a shortfall at the Wailua Golf Course.
It’s not too late. The council still has time to honor our keiki, kupuna and the disabled. Right now the county budget is still in committee. The Budget Committee of the County Council has a final meeting planned for this coming Tuesday, May 22. If the budget is voted out of committee that day it will be considered by the full council on May 30. The public still has time to comment. Let’s tell the council to give the Kauai Bus the money to increase its service, needed by the disabled, old, young and even golfers. The last bus shouldn’t leave at 4:30 p.m. on weekends and
holidays!
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Bridget Hammerquist is a resident of Koloa.
