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~r or <br /> <br /> Harry Kim c~ ~ y William Takaba <br /> Mayor W Direc(or <br /> Nancy E. Crawford <br /> Deputy DirecJOr <br /> •~Oi Nr <br /> County of Hawaii <br /> Finance Department <br /> 25 Aupuni Stree[, Room I18 • Hilo, Hawaii 96720 <br /> (608) 961-8234 Paz (808) 961-8248 - a <br /> r <br /> ~ <br /> September 10, 2004 <br /> Honorable James Y. Arakaki, Chairman <br /> and Members of the Hawaii County Council <br /> 25 Aupuni Street ~ <br /> Hilo, Hawaii 96720 <br /> Re: Bills 174, 175, and 176 <br /> The following are responses to questions asked at the Finance Committee meeting on September 7, <br /> 2004: <br /> Bill No. 174 <br /> 1. Section 19-71(b) enables property owners to receive homeowners exemptions even if a <br /> portion of any building or structure is used for certain commercial agricultural activities. <br /> Should we eliminate it? This section was included in the law when the County assumed real <br /> property tax functions from the State. It clarified what agricultural activities would not affect <br /> the home exemption. Although we have no objections to maintaining the section, we do not <br /> believe it should be expanded to other agricultural activities. <br /> 2. Sections 19-71(a)-(c): Why can't a homeowner claim a home exemption and receive <br /> immediate benefits? This should be addressed in Section 19-68(a) which establishes the <br /> deadline for claiming home exemptions. Although we still believe that filing deadlines must <br /> be established to correspond with the Finance Director's certification of real property values <br /> for the ensuing Fiscal Year, we will be proposing additional deadlines to reduce the time it <br /> takes to receive home exemptions. <br /> 3. Section 19-71(f): Why limit exemptions to $80,000? In order to offer a 20% exemption, a <br /> limit had to be established. Offering anacross-the-boazd exemption would mean that we <br /> would have to reduce the exemption percentage to keep the exemption affordable to the <br /> County. <br /> Comm. Ido. 3 1T <br /> Hawaii County is an equal opportunity provider and employer. ~ ~ ~afQ ~ <br /> <br />