2017-02-28 Letter to Sylvia Luke re HB 1310, HD1 Relating to Waiakea Peninsula Redevelopment District

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Sylvia Luke Finance Committee February 28, 2017 2. Financial support from State general revenues should include opportunities for staffing and facility support, through reimbursements, as may be provided by the County of Hawai'i and the BDHRA in support of the Banyan Drive redevelopment project. 3. We cannot afford to jeopardize or divert the real property tax revenue that comes from the affected parcels and currently goes into the County general fund. (We estimate that for the properties in HB 1479, tax revenue exceeds $3M. We do not have a separate estimate for just the Waiakea Peninsula, but it, too, woulc be substantial). HB 1310, HD1 says that SECTION 5. There is established the Waiakea peninsula redevelopment district revolving fund, into which shall be deposited: (1) Fifty per cent of the revenues, income, and receipts from the public lands in the Waiakea peninsula redevelopment district; We do not think that provision is intended to include real property taxes, but would need language that makes it crystal clear that real property taxes are not part of "revenues, income, and receipts..." We appreciate the attention that the Legislature has placed on the disposition of State lands within and proximate to the Banyan Drive Peninsula and the Kanoelehua Industrial Area, where opportunities exist to optimize the use of these lands for the benefit of the entire community. Our ongoing efforts with the BDHRA reflect that such benefits are not simply economic, but social and cultural as well. It is with this comprehensive approach that we support the intent and purpose of HB 1310, HD1 and other bills introduced during this legislative session that seek to explore opportunities regarding the use and management of State-owned lands within the core economic section of Hilo. Respectfully submitted arty Kim Mayor County of Hawai' i is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer