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Kea'au Community Meeting October 19, 2004 <br /> Bill 49, Draft 3, Agricultural [.and Taxation <br /> Ms. O'Neill asked if there will be more checking on properties to verify the use. Mr. "Fakaba expressed <br /> the "fax Office is not doing as much as they would like because of staffing. They would like to visit <br /> properties more often. He stated the proposal will not change their current procedures. He said that if <br /> the upcoming Draft 4 passes, it will make the work easier. The value of the home site will be fixed. As <br /> the law currently stands, there is some judgement that has to be made. <br /> Ms. O'Neill asked if this would benefit the small farmers with little income. Mr. "I~akaba stated the <br /> proposal was meant to benefit the small truck farmers and attempt to eliminate abuse. <br /> Mr. l~ylcr stated that one of the assessors in Kona had expressed to him that the changes from the <br /> enactment o1' Rule 7 had generated an enormous amount of work for the Tax Office. He stated people <br /> arc trying to cheat the system. I le said a misrepresentation of the use of the property for folks who have <br /> applied for Ag use would result in a penalty for perjury of $1,000. Mr. Takai stated that there is a <br /> penalty for fraud if a landowner is claiming the homeowners' exemption and are not living in the home. <br /> and that fine is $100. Further, he said the exemption would be denied for the current year in which the <br /> violation occurred and for two years prior, so that the taxes that should have been paid would become <br /> <br /> due and payable, along with the $100 fine. <br /> <br /> There being no more questions or comments, the meeting dispersed at 6:40 p.m. <br /> <br /> ja <br /> Page 3 <br /> <br />