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Honorable J Yoshimoto And Members of the Hawai`i County Council Page 6 May 2, 2013 Investing in a Sustainable Economy Our administration is committed to investing in agriculture and growing a healthy Hawai`i Island economy. Investment that creates opportunities in agriculture is ultimately an investment in our working families and in preserving open space. This budget funds currently vacant positions in the Department of Research&Development, including an agriculture specialist and a sustainability specialist at a cost of$120,048. These positions will be staffed with strong advocates and skilled networkers who will work with their communities to implement recommendations contained in initiatives such as the county's Agriculture Development Plan and the Food Self-Sufficiency Baseline Study. This budget also advances our commitment to a sustainable future through a proposed $346,000 investment in agriculture support and development. These funds will be used to help grow the next generation of farmers and create jobs while reducing our dependency on imported foods. This proposal includes full funding for the six Soil &Water Conservation Districts on our island to encourage responsible and sustainable agricultural practices to protect our rural ecosystems. Revenue Adjustments The proposed budget adjustments described above will fund basic, core services that our residents deserve and expect. These proposals will allow the county to maintain essential county services for an expanding population in the face of escalating costs,but the county must have the necessary tools to meet our obligations to the public. After four years of budget cuts, our per capita county operating budget today is the lowest in the state. County property tax collections have declined from $225.9 million in the year we took office to $198.3 million this year, and we must adjust property tax rates to provide the services our residents demand. Therefore, this budget incorporates a property tax adjustment that would allow the county to collect an estimated $219 million in the year ahead. That is nearly $7 million less than the county collected in 2008, when this administration began. Our proposed tax rate adjustments have been structured to be affordable for every property tax class. For example,members of the homeowner class would pay on average an additional $8.59 per month under the new rates. Owners of agricultural lands would pay an additional $4.75 per month on average. These adjustments are affordable for our residents and businesses,but provide the revenue necessary to deliver essential services to our communities. County of Hawaii is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer.