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Hawaii County already has the highest property tax rates in all <br /> property classes except 3 in the a State! See attached chart B <br /> Four property tax rate increases in eight years have put an immense <br /> burden .on low and fixed income taxpayers, especially in West Hawaii <br /> where property values are double the values in East Hawaii. <br /> Mayor Kim stated that the reason for the tax rate increase was to pay <br /> for the increases in employee wage compensation due to union <br /> contracts and the shortfall of the TAT revenue, however he then <br /> added approximately 10 million dollars for additional expenses <br /> including 13 new positions(up from 6 in the Draft 1 budget). <br /> Referring to the spreadsheet, the average cost per county employee <br /> (wages, health insurance and pension) has increased by 55% from <br /> 2005 to 2017. The 2017 average cost per employee is $113, 675. <br /> Thesenumbers were calculated by taking 70% of the. Operating <br /> budget and dividing by the number of permanent employees. <br /> Temporary positions were not included because it could not be <br /> determined if these are grant funded or county funded. <br /> The 6.1% increase in the proposed Operating budget isgreater than <br /> the average annual real property appreciation rate. <br /> If this increase is approved this year, how is the County going. to pay <br /> for next year's budget? Another tax rate increase? <br /> The proposed increase of 13 new positions brings a concerning issue <br /> to mind: <br /> During Mayor Kim's second term in 2005 to 2008, he increased the <br /> Operating budget by 42% and created 326 new positions. <br /> The sub prime interest recession struck in late 2008, mandating very <br /> painful major layoffs and furloughs for all county employees. <br />