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• <br /> " L,'.., Wil Okabe <br /> " r Visq Managing Director <br /> Harry Kim -,•c�� °I% '� <br /> Mayor '"T'z <br /> Barbara J.Kossow <br /> •''•: ............ <br /> ••r: Deputy Managing Director <br /> County of Patinai i <br /> @ffirr of flit Attuor <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 /> March 9, 2018 <br /> Senate President Ronald D. Kouchi <br /> Hawai'i State Capitol, Room 409 <br /> Honolulu, HI 96813 <br /> Senator Donovan M. Dela Cruz <br /> Chair, Senate Committee on Ways and Means <br /> Hawai'i State Capitol, Room 208 <br /> Honolulu, HI 96813 <br /> Dear Senate President Kouchi and Senator Dela Cruz: <br /> Re: HB1665, HD1 Relating to the Transient Accommodations Tax <br /> HB 1665 started as a part of the Hawaii Council of Mayors package, and would <br /> have restored the counties' allocation of the TAT to 45%. HB 1665, HD1, on the other <br /> hand, would require that the counties request reimbursement for various expenses, and <br /> justify each request in order to receive ANY TAT. <br /> While it is not clear what expenses would qualify for reimbursement (e.g., what <br /> percentage of overhead, salaries, maintenance products used at a park that serves <br /> locals and visitors, etc.) nor how much revenue the counties would ultimately receive, it <br /> is clear that the process would be a bureaucratic nightmare. Even if the counties wound <br /> up getting more TAT money than at present, it would not be worth it. <br /> This bill would cripple the partnership that has been created over the years in an <br /> imperfect but meaningful attempt to best serve the 1.4 million people of Hawaii. <br /> Therefore, you will not be surprised that we cannot support HD1, and ask that it be held, <br /> or that the original intent of HB 1665 be restored. <br /> Respectfully submitted, <br /> G <br /> Harry Kim <br /> MAYOR, County of Hawai'i <br /> County of Hawaii is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer. <br />