Karin Stanton | Hawaii 24/7 Contributing Editor

The County Council continued discussion on budget amendments into Monday evening, after hearing testimony from more than 100 members of the public.

Council members are considering Mayor Billy Kenoi’s $376 million budget and have introduced 40 amendments to it, ranging from Hele-On bus fees to slashing golf course subsidies and funding the county band.

The meeting began at 7:30 a.m. with statements from members of the public. More than 100 residents signed up to testify, having up to 3 minutes for each amendment they wished to address.

The council broke for lunch and continued hearing public testimony, including video conferencing from the Waimea and Kona council offices.

Public testimony lasted until mid-afternoon, when council members began discussion on each of the amendments.

After a 15-20 minute break about 7:15 p.m., the council got back down to business.

Into hour 15, they had addressed 18 of the 40 amendments …

Whether they power through all the amendments or suspend the meeting overnight has yet to be decided.

Either way, the County Charter mandates a budget is finalized by June 30, one day before the new fiscal year begins.