HILO, Hawaii – The Hawaii County Council voted on Wednesday to approve a new budget for the upcoming fiscal year. The balanced budget for July 1 2016 to July 30, 2017 includes estimated revenues and appropriations of $462,978,628.

In a message to councilmembers, Mayor Billy Kenoi said the final spending plan is 5.51 percent larger than the FY 2015-16 budget, and does not require any increase in real property taxes.

The second draft of the budget passed with one new amendment. Puna councilman Greggor Ilagan proposed taking money from the engineering division’s unsafe flora expense account, and putting it towards hiring an arborist and purchasing related equipment. Ilagan hopes the arborist can help fight the spread of Rapid Ohia Death on the island.

The budget will now go to Mayor Billy Kenoi for his signature.

Big Island Video News will have more from this meeting shortly, including details on the Capital Budget which was also passed by the council.