Finance committee forwards $5 vehicle surcharge plan to council to support Safe Routes to School

The Hawaii County Finance Committee voted July 22 to forward resolution 604-26 to full council with a favorable recommendation. The resolution authorizes the mayor to enter an intergovernmental agreement with the State Department of Transportation to receive funds to update the county’s motor vehicle registration system so the state can collect a $5 surcharge designated for the Safe Routes to School program.

Finance staff Diana Kagawa told the committee the collection will be handled through the state registration system and that the funds are intended in part to cover costs to reconfigure local cashiering systems. Naomi Odell, vehicle registration and licensing administrator, said, "These funds will be used for our cashiering system," and estimated about 195,000 vehicles on the island. Deputy corporation counsel Kira Long said the statute deposits surcharge proceeds into the Safe Routes to School Program special fund (citing the special fund provision referenced as 2‑91c‑4) and noted the fund allows multiple uses; the committee asked staff to follow up with DOT and DOE on redistribution and equity across districts.

The roll-call vote was announced as seven in favor and two opposed; the committee forwarded the resolution to council with a favorable recommendation.