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William P. Kenoi <br />Mayor <br />April 3, 2012 <br />County of Hawaii <br />Finance Department <br />25 Aupuni Street, Suite 2103. Hilo, Hawaii 96720 <br />(808) 961-8234 • Fax (808) 961 -8248 <br />Colleen Schrandt <br />Legislative Auditor <br />County of Hawai`i <br />1266 Kamehameha Avenue, Suite A -1 <br />Hilo, Hawai`i 96720 <br />Nancy E. Crawford <br />Director <br />Deanna S. Sako <br />Deputy Director <br />RE: A Technical Assistance Report Evaluating Property Tax Policies and Administrative <br />Practices in Hawai`i County <br />Ms. Schrandt, <br />The IAAO review of the Hawai`i County real property taxation system has brought a <br />useful outside perspective to the system as it currently stands. It also highlights areas of <br />concern and recommendations for correction. Some of these areas have been or are being <br />currently addressed. Some are constrained by fiscal or legal considerations. <br />We welcome this opportunity to increase public understanding regarding our real <br />property tax (RPT) system and to consider options which could simplify and improve the <br />current tax code and its implementation. As identified in the report's summary, the code <br />includes a broad variety of programs, dedications and exemptions providing tax relief to <br />certain segments of the population. All of this deserves careful review. <br />I would like to take this opportunity to comment on the referenced report to provide some <br />input from the Department of Finance. For the sake of brevity, this correspondence is <br />related only to the Executive Summary portion of the report. There are, however, a <br />number of items in the body of the report that we would like to make additional comment <br />on at a later time. <br />The authors report that many of the public's concerns about fairness can be attributed to a <br />shortage of information about property valuations and the many real property tax <br />programs and exemptions. Specific concern is expressed about the RPT website. It is one <br />of the Real Property Tax Division's goals to communicate with the taxpayer using <br />whatever means are available. In the past, the division has met with interest groups across <br />Hawai'i County is an equal opportunity provider and employer. <br />C) <br />Comm. No. 4!• 1 <br />Ref. To: logiielliA 1 <br />G <br />Ref. Date APR 0 <br />'' O12 <br />