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Bill No. 49, Uraft 3 was referred to Your Committee, dated August 2, 2004, from Mayor Harry <br />Kim and Director of Finance William "1"akaba. Mr. Takaba reminded Your Committee that the <br />Bill is intended to help implement the following goals: <br />1) Keep prime agricultural land in agricultural use; <br />2) Encourage new agricultural uses; <br />3) Return agricultural lands to agricultural use; <br />4) Promote agriculture industry/employment; <br />5) Promote equitable taxation; and <br />6) Promote General Plan goals/policies. <br />Additional amendments proposed in Draft 3: <br />• Modifies the dedication period to allow farmers/ranchers who lease their land to <br />dedicate it for the period of their lease if the period is at least five years. <br />• For those who do not choose to dedicate their land, the value of farmer's/rancher's <br />property will be set at twice the dedicated productivity values. <br />Workshop and community meetings were held on August 24, 2004 at Waimea Elementary <br />School Cafeteria, September 16. 2004 at the Hilo Coast Processing Company Office, <br />September 21, ?004 at Hawaiian Ocean View Community Center, September 30, 2004 at <br />Konawaena Elementary School Cafeteria and October 19, 2004 at Kea'au Community Center. <br />During the workshop and community meetings, Director of Finance William Takaba explained <br />to the members of your Committee and the public the amendments proposed in this measure. <br />Some of the public's concerns were as follows: <br />1. Value of the leased property should not be assessed as fee simple property. <br />2. Leasehold farmers cannot obtain long term leases to participate in the ag program. <br />3. Need more enforcement_ Farmers don't want to suffer because ofnon-farmers. <br />4. Non-fanners are taking advantage of real property tax intended to help bona fide <br />farmers. <br />5. Constitution and State laws favor the farmers (farm dwellings are a permitted use in <br />the State ag designation). <br />6. Increase in taxes will come from West Hawaii. <br />7. Agriculture is a tough business; needs support. <br />R. I lomesite values penalize the fanner/owner (not part of Bill 49, but this issue was <br />brought out consistently). <br />Your Committee on Finance is in accord with the purpose and intent of Bill No. 49, Draft 3, and <br />recommends it pass first reading. <br />smc <br /> VA 4:5 FO4s .A&F: .~B9 <br />Cf1UNG X <br />SAF'ARIK X <br />ARA KA KI X <br />ELARIONOFF X <br />HOLSCHUH X <br />JACOBSON X <br />REYNOLDS X <br />TULANG X <br />TYLER X <br />Respectfully submitted <br />ON FINANCE <br />~, <br />AARON S.Y. ('HUNG, CHAIR <br />FC REPORT NO. _ <br />ADOPTED: _~_ 2~ __ <br />