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8-23-D4; 9:4~AM;~B085283463 ~80852B34 Fi3 ? 4/ 4 <br /> 1 <br /> <br /> ji~ <br /> 1 <br /> Honorabl Aaron S.Y. Chung, Chav, and Members <br /> Finance C mmittee <br /> August 242004 <br /> Page 4 <br /> 3. avant or fallowed lands should be assessed at what the lands could realistically be used <br /> f r under the limitations 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 lands aze <br /> A t vacant. That, combined with the high agricultural tax rate of $9.85/$1,000, should be <br /> ore than enough incentive for a landowner to put someone on the property and not keep , <br /> t vacant. Vacant land requires the landowner to have insurance, pay taxes, and provide <br /> s me on-site property management. A higher assessed valuation for vacant lands is <br /> ' ecessary to compel a landowner to put a tenant on the property. <br /> 4. Unusable portions of agricultural parcels, such as gulches and hillsides, should be <br /> assessed at nominal rather than mazket value, reflecting the fact that such lands have no <br /> economic use. <br /> We appreciate the opportunity to express our views on this matter, and look forwazd to further <br /> discussions with the Council to address the issue of long-term agricultural real property tax <br /> reform fdr the County of Hawaii. <br /> i <br /> I <br /> i <br /> II <br /> i III <br /> i <br /> i, <br /> Ili <br /> 'I <br /> I <br /> i I{ <br /> i <br /> <br />