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2020 Annual Report I Real Property Tax Board of Review <br />Comments and Recommendations <br />Administrative Matters <br />1. Potential appointees should be apprised of the demands of their time that service on this <br />Board entails before their names are submitted to the County Council for confirmation <br />hearings. All members are expected to attend all meetings. Meetings in' Hilo or Kona occur <br />from July through December with two nights away from home or the office. <br />2. The procedure of rendering an immediate decision in open session upon the completion of <br />the presentation of each appeal case continues to differentiate this Board from other <br />Counties within the State of Hawaii and is found to be an acceptable practice to all parties. <br />3. The workshop, which included the Real Property Tax staff and Board Members held prior <br />to the start of this year's appeal hearings, was very informative and productive for the <br />Members. The continuation of the annual workshop is highly recommended as it allows the <br />administrative staff to present a broad array of relevant tax matters and information for the <br />Members. <br />4. The presence of Corporation Counsel at each meeting/hearing has proven itself to be <br />essential and is recommended to continue. The Board has relied upon Corporation <br />Counsel in many instances for clarification and interpretation of rules and/or laws. <br />5. The presence of the Real Property Administrator and/or Assistant Administrator at each <br />meeting/hearing has proven itself to be essential and is recommended to continue. The <br />Board has relied upon the administration in many instances for information on office <br />policies and procedures before rendering decisions. <br />6. The Board recommends continued funding to allow the Board and support staff to attend <br />the statewide conference as it provides multiple benefits to all participants. <br />7. The Board recommends that they be accompanied by both Corporation Counsel and the <br />Board Clerk to all conferences, workshops, meetings, and other related matters. <br />8. The Board appreciates the impromptu training sessions conducted by Corporation Counsel <br />and the Real Property Tax division. These sessions provided the Board with information <br />and insight on various issues, topics, programs, etc. <br />The Board recommends that these training sessions continue to be offered. <br />9. The Board recommends that additional one-on-one training be provided by the division and <br />Corporation Counsel for the newest appointed member. This training session should <br />include basic information on programs, appeal procedures and the specifications of their <br />role as a member. <br />10. The public has a misconception that the Real Property Tax division sets the tax rates, and <br />the Board recommends that the County continue to provide outreach interaction to dispel <br />this. <br />Hawai `i County is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer 3 <br />