County says $220,000 not a subsidy increase The Kaua’i County Council is considering a budget move that would supposedly make the county-operated Wailua Golf Course a better place to play. Bill 1994 would amend the county’s budget to make use
County says $220,000 not a subsidy increase
The Kaua’i County Council is considering a budget move that would supposedly make the county-operated Wailua Golf Course a better place to play.
Bill 1994 would amend the county’s budget to make use of $220,000 in surplus funds for the public course. The money would be spent on fertilizer, salaries for workers and equipment replacement, among other things.
North Shore-area resident Ray Chuan, a persistent council critic, worried at Thursday’s council meeting about where the money was coming from.
Chuan pointed out that the council earlier approved $460,000 in funding in the latest budget before seeking the additional $220,000.
“If this is an example of effective fiscal oversight by the council, I think we need another term,” Chuan said.
“We’re not transferring any general fund monies,” Councilman Ron Kouchi replied. He explained that because of the recent switch back to the line-item form of budgeting, which gives the council more control over budget decisions, the council and the public would get chances in upcoming meetings to comment on the proposed expenditures.
The subsidy for the golf course “has not increased,” Kouchi said.
He said the county administration “is compelled” to present such budget decisions to the council “because of the line-item” provisions.
The council passed the bill, which was introduced yesterday, back into committee for more discussion.
Staff writer Dennis Wilken can be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 252) and mailto:dwilken@pulitzer.net
