COM 0024.010 2012-2014 - Laserfiche WebLink

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A RESOLUTION TO ESTABLISH A REAL PROPERTY TAX STAKEHOLDERS TASK FORCE. WHEREAS, the March 5, 2012 International Association of Assessing Officers (IAAO) Report entitled "Technical Assistance Report Evaluating Property Tax Policies and Administrative Practices in Hawai`i County," as transmitted to the County Council by Communication No. 641 (2010-12 Council term), suggests the establishment of a group of stakeholders to address several of the 40 recommendations contained in the report; and WHEREAS, a stakeholders task force would extend public outreach to address public complaint issues, with the exception of appeals to the Real Property Tax Board of Review, as provided in Section 19-97 of the Hawai`i County Code; and WHEREAS, a stakeholders task force should conduct periodic reviews of brochures and forms for readability; and WHEREAS, a stakeholders task force should examine whether the creation of sunset provisions for exemptions are beneficial and if so, create and review such sunset provisions for all exemptions to force periodic review of underlying policies; and WHEREAS, a stakeholders task force should review the intent of underlying policies and allegations of abuse of the agricultural use exemption; and WHEREAS, a stakeholders task force should look into consolidating agricultural use eligibility options weighing the benefits of a simpler, more transparent system against specific tax shifts; and WHEREAS, a stakeholders task force should determine specific ways to make the relationship between taxes and value changes more transparent; and WHEREAS, a stakeholders task force should identify problems related to tax relief and review options; and WHEREAS, the Council formed an Ad-Hoc Committee on July 31, 2012, to review and prioritize the 40 recommendations contained in the IAAO report; and WHEREAS, it would be beneficial to continue the work of the Ad-Hoc Committee in the form of a task force; and WHEREAS, Section 92-2.5, subsection(a) of the Hawai`i Revised Statutes provides that two council members may discuss between themselves matters relating to official board business to enable them to perform their duties faithfully, as long as no commitment to vote is made or sought and the two members do not constitute a quorum of their board; now, therefore,