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//+YY Oi <br /> tpP?•` �� , Wil Okabe <br /> obi Managing Director <br /> Harry Kim •4\ -��• <br /> mayor Barbara J. Kossow <br /> • r .�° ---. Deputy Alanag,ng D,rectnr <br /> (gIIltutu of nitlttt t <br /> (Offirs of lir cittavor <br /> 25 Aupuni Street,Suite 2603 • Hilo,Hawaii 96720 • (808)961-8211 • Fax(808)961-6553 <br /> KONA 74-5044 Ane Keohokalole Hwy., Bldg C • Kailua-Kona, Hawaii 96740 <br /> (808)323-4444 • Fax(808)323-4440 <br /> September 11, 2019 <br /> Ms. Faith Yates <br /> PO Box 190683 <br /> Hawi, HI 96719 <br /> Dear Ms. Yates, <br /> Re: Letter dated August 20, 2019 <br /> TMK: (3) 5-5-001-019-0000 <br /> Thank you for your letter of August 20, 2019 regarding the increase in your real <br /> property taxes. From reviewing your real property tax record, it appears you are <br /> receiving a homeowner exemption and a lower agricultural land value (as compared to <br /> the market value), and your property is in the agricultural tax classification. The <br /> agricultural tax rate of$9.35 (per $1,000 of value) has remained the same since 2017, <br /> however, the market value of your property has increased, which resulted in higher <br /> taxes. <br /> I did not support the raises for Department heads. Unfortunately, the Salary <br /> Commission reviewed positions statewide and disagreed with me. Without the General <br /> Excise and Fuel Tax increases, we would have needed to increase the real property tax <br /> rates, which I continue to discourage. The increase in revenues in 2017 and 2018 did <br /> not increase services as the County had an increase in liabilities, which were State <br /> mandated and out of County control. <br /> In 2019, the additional GE Tax increase is to also provide additional emergency <br /> personnel as there has been a growing number of residents to our Island, with a <br /> minimal increase in emergency personnel in the past. The County Departments have all <br /> been submitting status quo budgets, and have cutback in areas to alleviate this tax <br /> burden as much as possible on the public. We remain vigilant in the amount of staff the <br /> County Departments increase by, as this adds to the cost of government. <br /> County of Hawm-i is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer <br />