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8- 3-04: 9:28AM:+8085283483 ;18086293463 n ai a <br /> i Honorabl ~ Aaron S.Y. Chung, Chair, and Members <br /> Finance mmittee <br /> August 3, 2004 <br /> Page 4 <br /> I <br /> 3. scant or fallowed lands should be assessed at what the lands could realistically be used <br /> under the limitafions of the zoning districts, or based on prior historic use. The <br /> 1 downer pays the tax on any vacant lands. The tenant pays the tax when the sands aze <br /> not vacant. That, combined with the high agricultural tax rate of $9.85/$1,000, should be <br /> more than enough incentive for a landowner to put someone on the property and not keep <br /> it vacant. Vacant land requires the landowner to have insurance, pay taxes, and provide <br /> ~ some on-site property management. A higher assessed valuation for vacant lands is <br /> unnecessary to compel a landowner to put a tenant on the property. <br /> We appreciate the opportunity to express our views on this matter, and look forward to further <br /> discussidns with the Council to address the issue of long-term agricultural real property tax <br /> reform f~r the County of Hawaii. <br /> i <br /> <br /> I <br /> I <br /> <br />