Honolulu residents can expect to see $44 million in roadwork, more police officers and lifeguards, a new McCully fire station and park improvements across the island in the next year.

Those are among the highlights in the city budget for the fiscal year that begins July 1.

Mayor Mufi Hannemann yesterday signed the key budget bills that outline city government spending over the next year. The $1.5 billion operating budget is the city's largest ever and the $680.7 million construction budget is among the biggest.

Hannemann said the record budget shows a continuing emphasis on "basic services that place a premium on public safety; maintenance of roads, parks and public facilities; transportation and traffic; and sewage and solid waste."

The budget sets aside money for sewer work in Waikiki to help prevent a repeat of what Hannemann called the "major debacle" of the 48 million-gallon sewage spill there in March. It also targets sewers in Kalihi Valley, Nu'uanu Valley, Wilhelmina Rise and Waimalu.

City Councilman Nestor Garcia praised Hannemann for sticking to a back-to-basics theme in his spending priorities: "The mayor's rhetoric matched his actions."

The budget also includes money for 15 more police officers; 20 more lifeguards (10 permanent and 10 contract hires); two new fire engines; new lifeguard towers; and a $10 million expansion of the police crime lab.

There's money for park improvements at Halona Blowhole, Sunset Beach Recreation complex and Waipahu District Park.

And homeowners moved a step closer to getting that one-time $200 discount on their property taxes to help ease the bite of bills that are increasing in the wake of skyrocketing values.

This year's budget includes $50.2 million toward building a mass transit system. Hannemann said that would be used for preliminary engineering and the environmental impact statement.

Other budget-related measures include: