Laserfiche WebLink
<br /> <br /> <br /> REPORT OF THE <br /> COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS AND <br /> INTERGOVERNMENTAL RELATIONS <br /> <br /> DATE: November 17, 2009 Re: Comm. No. 607/Reso 268-09 <br /> PLACE: Council Chambers <br /> Ben Franklin Bldg, 2nd Floor <br /> 333 Kilauea Ave. <br /> Hilo, Hawaii 96720 <br /> <br /> TIME: 11:43 a.m. <br /> <br /> Council Chair and Members <br /> Hawaii County Council <br /> Hilo, Hawaii 96720 <br /> <br /> Your Committee on Public Works and Intergovernmental Relations, to which was referred <br /> Communication 607 and Resolution 268-09, reports as follows: <br /> <br /> Resolution 268-09, transmitted via Communication No. 618, dated October 30, 2009 from <br /> Council member and Hawaii State Association of Counties (HSAC) representative Dennis <br /> "Fresh" Onishi includes the five measures proposed to be included in the 2010 HSAC Legislative <br /> Package. <br /> <br /> Two testifiers spoke in opposition to Item 3, relating to the State Land Use Commission. <br /> <br /> Chair Enriques proposed to divide the question for vote on each of the five proposed measures in <br /> the 2010 HSAC Legislative Package. Mr. Onishi moved to divide the question. The motion was <br /> seconded by Mr. Ford and unanimously carried. The parts and vote were as follows: <br /> <br /> 1. A Resolution allowing counties to access State Department of Taxation income tax <br /> database. Council member and HSAC Representatives Dennis Onishi stated this <br /> resolution can aid the counties in several manners, one of which is to check if properties <br /> owners are legally eligible for residency tax credits, and to otherwise inspect records. <br /> <br /> Council member Brenda Ford stated she feels the language in this proposed resolution will <br /> weigh efficacy of income against property taxation, which in turn could raise privacy issues, <br /> and may lead to problems with fair treatment. Council members Hoffmann and Ikeda agreed <br /> there are problems with the language and construction of the resolution. <br /> <br /> County Finance Directory Nancy Crawford commented the county real property tax office <br /> would primarily use the proposed access as a tool to learn if property tax credits relating to <br /> questions of residency may be valid or warranted. Access to state income tax system records <br /> may be helpful in determining if low income residents are eligible for support programs. <br /> <br /> Mr. Onishi stressed there was no time to amend language this year, as it is HSAC's intention to <br /> present these resolutions before convening of the next State Legislature. The vote to approve <br /> Item 1 failed; there were nine "no" votes. <br /> <br /> 2. A Resolution urging the Hawaii Employer-Union Health Benefits Trust Fund (EUTF) to <br /> study feasibility of establishing a captive insurance program. <br /> PWIRC Rept. 58 <br />