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11/05/04 14:i FA% 0 LANIHAU L t~JJ 002 <br /> <br /> •°O Hawaii Cattlemen's Council, Inc. <br /> d 91-2002 Fort Weaver Road BEEF 11 <br /> Ewa Beach, HI 96706 ' ' <br /> LLL~~~"' Phone & Fax (808) 672-5042 usA <br /> November 5, 2004 <br /> by Fax: (808) 961-8912 <br /> Mr. J ~ es Y. Arakaki, Chairman <br /> Hawai i County Council <br /> 25 Au uni Street, Room 209 <br /> Hilo, awaii 96720 <br /> ~I <br /> Re: Comm. 11838, Bi1149, Draft 4 Relating to Real Property Tax Definitions: Non- I <br /> Dedi¢ ted Agricultural Use Assessment and Agricultural Use Dedication <br /> We are leased to write in support of Bi1149 (Draft 4) as it is consistent with <br /> man f the poky positions of the State's Hawaii Cattlemen's Council, the most <br /> fun ental o which is that real property which truly is committed to legitimate ~ <br /> agric tlural us~ should be assessed based on its agricultural productivity value under that <br /> use: I i i <br /> I~ <br /> At a tirt~e when other Counties have moved away from the use of ag productivity <br /> valuds In their assessment practices towazd using various valuation practices tied to a ~ <br /> pert ge of a property's fair mazket value as a real estate asset or investment, w feel <br /> the Bi Island would be setting a commendable example by adopting Bi1149 (Dra~i 4) as <br /> an ex ple of an equitable taxation policy which recognizes the State's Constitutional <br /> man to to support and protect our agricultural resources. <br /> Based on our review we would like to add several other comments: <br /> 19-214 )(2) - We support attributing the value of "home use" or subsistence ag as a part <br /> of sa Eying the annual gross income threshold that defines "commeroial agriculhual <br /> activ~'es". ! ~ ~~1 ~ <br /> 9-2 )(8) and 19-57(a)(3) - This definition and proposed assessment process for farm ~ <br /> dwe ~ g sites s an efficient and equitable approach to settle what has been a costly and <br /> dont tious iss~e for both taxpayers and the County. <br /> 19-5 a)(2) • IWe support the use and open/periodic review of the ag use rates by <br /> ~gti turalists' and others expert in each of the ag industry groups. ~ i <br /> I 19-6 a) - IWe support this mechanism which would allow ag lessees with sut~icient ! I <br /> rem ' ng lease terms to apply for ag use dedication and the most favorable ag use <br /> rise eat rate. <br /> UNIFIED AFFILIATE OF THE NATIONAL CATTLEMEN'S BEEF ASSOCIATION <br /> Hav.~ i Catttem4n's Association itaual Cattlemen's Association Maui Cattlemen's Association <br /> Molokai Grazier's Association • Oahu Cattlemen's Association <br /> ' I <br /> i <br /> <br />