WAILUKU — A formal public hearing on Mayor Charmaine Tavares' proposed 2008-09 county budget will begin at 6:30 p.m. Thursday in the Council Chambers of the Kalana O Maui Building, The Maui News reported.

The County Council is required to hold the hearing before it can take action on approving its own version of the budget. The council must pass a budget by May 31, or the mayor's proposed spending plan will automatically go into effect when the new fiscal year begins July 1.

Tavares has proposed a $461 million operating budget, and a $99.9 million capital improvements budget for fiscal 2009, including $49.8 million in a general obligation bond float.

Written comments on the budget may be sent to the council for inclusion in the hearing minutes by e-mail to county.clerk@mauicounty.us or fax to 270-7171. Written submissions must be made 24 hours before the hearing.

At the hearing, testifiers are requested to provide 15 copies of any written comments for distribution among council members.

Anyone needing special accommodations to participate in the hearing should call the Office of the County Clerk at 270-7748 by today.

Details of the proposed budget can be found online at www.co.maui.hi.us/mayor/budget2008.htm. A legal notice announcing the hearing with information on the budget proposal was published in The Maui News on March 25 and April 1.

For more Maui news, visit The Maui News.