Laserfiche WebLink
<br /> SquinelMail Page 1 of 2 <br /> Current Folder: INBOX ~ Sign Ont <br /> Compose Addresses Folders Options Search Help Calendar ~ P~ i~ Interpac Ilome Page <br /> u~~ ~ ~ <br /> MosSa~c Livt Dclclc Previous ~ Nc~t ~ Forward ~ ~ Rcpl~ ~ ~ Rcpl; All <br /> Subject: Proposed property taxes ( - ~ Vice Pull I leader <br /> From: "MBLANN" <blann@verizon.neV !~(j~~'"~ ~ ~ ~ Vice PrimaMc Version <br /> Date: Sat, October 23, 2004 7:07 am <br /> To: <akonishi@in[erpac.net> <br /> Priority: Normal <br /> Aloha Councilmembers, <br /> I write regarding the Real Property tax issue.The tax schedule should (1) be <br /> fair; (2) have <br /> the appearance of being fair, and (3) in support of (1) and (2) be transparent and <br /> easily <br /> understood. I believe that in a progressive tax structure, this is accomplished by <br /> making <br /> the tax= (assessed valuation)* (rate/thousand). Once one begins to add bells and <br /> whistles <br /> in the form of exemptions with boundary conditions, (1)-(3) cease to be fulfilled. <br /> The factor of two difference in rate/thousand between resident owners and part time <br /> residents is a huge (and I think unfair) reward to residents; anything else seems <br /> over- <br /> the-top. Some have legitimately pointed out that many of our citizen-homeowners are <br /> below the poverty level and need extra help. Then extra help may well be in order, <br /> but the <br /> real property tax schedule is an inefficient vehicle for administering social <br /> welfare programs. <br /> For this purpose, should it be an important issue, I suggest that all tax bills <br /> receiving <br /> the resident rate require a copy of the N-11. This will reduce erroneous claims by <br /> part time <br /> residents, and advise which residents are below a trigger income level. The county <br /> may then choose <br /> to send a check for up to the 200 or 400$ amount of current exemptions- but to those <br /> who <br /> need it based on income, not on assessed property value. <br /> Some below the poverty level cannot buy homes; they must rent, paying to <br /> reimburse the <br /> landlord for the double tax rate/thousand being paid on a rental property. Perhaps <br /> the credit <br /> should also be paid to these individuals, if they are residents of Hawaii. This <br /> would seem <br /> fairer to me. I have not heard a good rebuttal to this approach. <br /> Under the approach suggested herein, a larger share of taxes would clearly be <br /> shifted to West Hawaii. <br /> Because it would be done in a fair manner based on need, I believe that it would be <br /> welcome <br /> in West Hawaii. The bells and whistles of present proposals are seen as unfair, <br /> manipulative, <br /> and divisive. The time of divisive politics should be past in Hawaii County. Please <br /> let our <br /> County government work for fairness, openness, and transparency in legislation. <br /> Respectfully, <br /> Marshall Blann, Holualoa <br /> Disclosure: I benefit from the resident rate and senior exemption. But I do not feel <br /> that these are n <br /> warranted or fair. S Y S <br /> Comm. No. rrr---/// 1 <br /> Doa nload Ihis as a lilt Ref. TOe <br /> Ref. Uate <br /> http://wwwl .interpac.netJmail/src/read_body.php?mailbox=INBOX&passed_id=25&startM... 10/26/04 <br /> <br />