HomeMy WebLinkAboutNR031419MOTHE COUNTY OF KAUA'I
DEREK S. K. KAWAKAMI, MAYOR
mqa MICHAEL A. DAHILIG, MANAGING DIRECTOR
C OF
News Release
For Immediate Release: March 14, 2019
OFFICE OF THE MAYOR
SARAH K. BLANE, CHIEF OF STAFF
Tel (808) 241-4900
Fax (808) 241-6877
Mayor Kawakami outlines first 100 days in office, budget priorities in 2019
State of the County Address
LIHU'E — Mayor Derek S. K. Kawakami outlined his first 100 days in office as well the
County's fiscal year 2020 budget priorities during his inaugural State of the County Address in
Lihu`e on Thursday.
"Our island is at a crossroads. Our desire to keep our Kauai way of life must be met with
a progressive approach as the world changes around us. We know the challenges. We have a
growing population, overused infrastructure, and crowded roads," Mayor Kawakami said in front
of a crowd of about 150 people. "We must rise to the expectations of our community. We know
that our first budget sets the tone for the next four years, so it's important to have a clear
strategic direction."
Mayor Kawakami highlighted that the fiscal year 2020 budget is balanced without a
proposed increase in Real Property Tax rates and user fees, as well as keeps a minimum
Reserve Fund of 30 percent of the prior year's General Fund Revenues — as set in the County's
Long -Term Financial Plan.
"We want to ensure that a dollar earned is a dollar well spent," Mayor Kawakami said.
"Our goal is to invest every dollar toward bettering the quality of life for our residents, giving a
top-notch level of service to our customers, and ensuring a world -class experience for our
visitors."
Mayor Kawakami addressed two guiding principles for his administration: guardianship,
taking care of what we have; and innovation, finding new ways to modernize our systems or
processes to create efficiency and cost-effectiveness.
"Our budget priorities reflect these two guiding principles, with an overall goal ensuring
that every dollar earned is spent toward bettering the quality of life for our residents, providing a
top-notch level of service to our customers, and ensuring a world -class experience for our
visitors," Mayor Kawakami said.
With that strategic direction in mind, Mayor Kawakami's administration identified six keys
to success: our mobility; our home; our connections; our money; our freedom; and our heart.
"Moving forward, each of our county's strategic initiatives will work toward one of these
six keys to success, with a focus on guardianship and innovation," Mayor Kawakami said.
During his first 100 days in office, Mayor Kawakami's administration conducted a
housing summit last month, transmitted communication to the County Council for a request to
conduct performance audits, and addressed the number one complaint voiced by customers
who wait in line to pay for their motor vehicle registrations.
"In our first 100 days — with the help of our dedicated team — we changed the way
people were waiting," Mayor Kawakami said. "We created a numbering system, and now we
have chairs where our kupuna, mothers and keiki can comfortably sit while they wait."
Budget priorities for the 2020 fiscal year includes affordable housing, roads and
transportation, and park improvements.
"Our goal is to have safe and decent housing for our local residents, where our public
spaces are a welcoming, and inclusive gathering place for all," Mayor Kawakami said. Moving
from taking care of our neighborhoods to taking care of our public spaces, we must also care for
our recreational areas. This is our collective responsibility. We all need to do better because our
parks and our keiki deserve it."
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Photo caption: During his first 100 days in office, Mayor Kawakami's administration conducted a
housing summit last month, transmitted communication to the County Council for a request to
conduct performance audits, and addressed the number complaint voiced by customers who
wait in line to pay for their motor vehicle registrations.
Photo caption: Mayor Derek S. K. Kawakami his wife Monica (middle) with their 'ohana from left
to right: Pat Lizama, Fred DeBusca, Trudy DeBusca, Monica Enoka, and Anne Noguchi.
Photo caption: Budget priorities for the 2020 fiscal year includes affordable housing, roads and
transportation, and park improvements.