Big Island Mayor Harry Kim has proposed a $398 million budget for the coming year, which represents a 6.3 percent increase in county spending.

In a message to the County Council, Kim said property tax collections for the year beginning July 1 are expected to grow by nearly $26 million with the increase in taxable values for Big Island real estate. Property taxes make up about 60 percent of the county budget.

The budget projects higher debt payments because Kim wants to issue another $100 million in general obligation bonds to finance county construction projects.

The budget request seeks $1.6 million for a new fire department rescue helicopter. It also proposes that $1 million be deposited in a disaster preparedness fund, and another $1 million be tucked away in the county "rainy day" budget reserve fund.