REP FC 051 2023/05/02 2022-2024 - Laserfiche WebLink

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FC-51 Page 2 May 2,2023 Committee Member Cindy Evans asked Ms. Kimball if individuals participating in community food sustainability with a long-term property lease can qualify for this proposed tax benefit. She confirmed that this benefit is intended for property owners only. Ms. Evans then asked for clarification on page 3, Section (c)(4), specifically the involvement of the Finance Director. Ms. Kimball stated that if the assessor discovers that, over the last cycle, the applicant has not fulfilled the community food sustainability guidelines, then it would be at the discretion of the Finance Director to re-evaluate this applicant. Ms. Evans proposed adding a sunset date to this bill; Ms. Kimball stated that it is mechanically possible but did not feel it was appropriate for this bill. Ms. Evans acknowledged Ms. Kimball's concerns and asked Committee Member Susan L.K. Lee Loy for her opinion. Ms. Lee Loy thanked Ms. Evans for inviting her into the conversation. Ms. Lee Loy acknowledged the dates and deadlines in this measure and how updating those dates will be critical to the success of this bill and agreed with Ms. Evan that sunset dates can help. Ms. Lee Loy looked to Finance Director Deanna Sako to confirm when this program would take effect, which Ms. Sako said in the fiscal year 2026. Committee Chair Matt Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder asked Assistant Real Property Tax Administrator Keita Jo if the applicants for this program can also participate in the Homeowners Exemption Program, to which Mr. Jo answered that applicants would not be eligible to participate in both. Mr. Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder requested that Mr. Jo provide a visual presentation of the benefits of this bill. Ms. Evans commented on Mr. Kaneali`i-KI einfelder's request and agreed that she would be interested in seeing a presentation as well. Ms. Evans suggested that this matter be postponed to the May 2, 2023, Finance Committee. Ms. Kimball moved to postpone the bill to the next Finance Committee meeting on May 2, 2023, and was seconded by Committee Member Jenn Kagiwada. Finance Committee Meeting of May 2, 2023 Ms. Kimball provided background on this measure and reiterated the purpose of this bill. Ms. Kimball invited Real Property Tax Administrator Lisa Miura and Mr. Jo to share their presentation that Mr. Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder requested at the previous Finance Committee dated April 18, 2023. Mr. Jo presented, citing the difference between Commercial Agricultural Use Dedication and Non-dedicated Agricultural Use. Slides provided details on different tax benefits relating to agricultural use and application timelines. Ms. Miura suggested that due to the amount of information in the first set of slides Mr. Jo should pause and ask the committee for questions or comments. Mr. Inaba commented on the Non-dedicated Ag program application deadline and asked for confirmation of the program end date. Mr. Jo confirmed that the program benefits would end on July 1, 2028. Ms. Lee Loy asked for clarification on applying for the benefits and if the department will accept applications for these programs after the stated deadline, which Ms. Miura said they would not, stating FC Report No. 51