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�Ntv o:My!'' Wil Okabe <br /> . \ <br /> V'e$,. Managing Director <br /> Harry Kim <br /> • <br /> ,_.� _ , <br /> Mayor _ _ <br /> •: :•:� . Barbara J.Kossow <br /> r�r f os•N �'" Deputy Managing Director <br /> • <br /> Couttfv of c x1nxt`t <br /> Offirr IIf f. 'E c vor <br /> 25 Aupuni Street,Suite 2603 • Hilo,Hawai`i 96720 • (808)961-8211 • Fax(808)961-6553 <br /> KONA: 74-5044 Me Keohokalole Hwy.,Bldg.C • Kailua-Kona,Hawaii 96740 <br /> (808)323-4444 • Fax(808)323-4440 <br /> February 13, 2017 <br /> Representative Scott Nishimoto <br /> Judiciary Committee <br /> Hawai'i State Capitol <br /> Honolulu, HI 96813 <br /> Dear Chair Nishimoto and members: <br /> RE: HB 182 <br /> As a former teacher myself, I fully appreciate the efforts of this Legislature to properly fund <br /> education. However, I cannot support HB 182, and must speak against it. <br /> Effect on Real property tax. The County of Hawaii, as is true of the other counties, has little <br /> or no control over its revenue except in one area, real property taxes, and the County relies <br /> overwhelmingly on real property taxes to fund its operations. The burden of that tax can be heavy for <br /> many residents, but since it is virtually the only tool we have, we use it the best we can. <br /> A surcharge on residential investment properties would obviously limit County options and <br /> make it even more difficult to balance our budgets. Therefore, we have to jealously guard this taxing <br /> authority, and ask that you not breach this line of authority. <br /> Effect on TAT. Given our County's limited resources, we are fortunate that the Legislature has <br /> seen fit to allow the counties to share in the TAT. That has been a great help, and we thank you for it. <br /> However, this source of revenue is under constant pressure, and even this session the Legislature <br /> will be asked to increase the counties' share of TAT so that we can better serve our constituents and <br /> visitors. The TAT pie can only be divided into so many pieces, and a surcharge on visitor <br /> accommodations, even for the most noble of purposes, will obviously limit what can be raised and <br /> spent elsewhere. <br /> Please do not deprive the counties of this needed source of revenue, by dividing the pie even <br /> further. <br /> pe .ally, <br /> arty Ki <br /> Mayor <br /> County of Hawai`i is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer. <br />