(BIVN) – A council vote on a proposed 0.5% surcharge on the general excise tax was put on hold Wednesday.

Hawai‘i County Councilmembers elected to postpone their decision on Bill 102, as the Hawai‘i State Legislature continues its session and the administration of Mayor Harry Kim puts together a draft budget for the Big Island.

The state gave a March 31 deadline to enact the surcharge. The council decided to take up the bill before May 5.

The revenue generated from the GET surcharge, estimated to be at least $25 million and likely much more, would be used to fund Hawai‘i County transportation and Mass Transit projects.

On Wednesday, Mayor Kim testified from Hilo via videoconference, mustering one last push for the bill. But the council held their ground in the belief that their constituency did not want to foot the bill on another tax increase.

Last year’s budget process brought about both property tax increases and fuel tax increase.