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Harry Kim <br />.1hoy,r <br />County of H awai <br />Office of the Mayor <br />Wil Okabe <br />1 kmaging Director <br />Barbara J. Kossow <br />ikTiityIluouging I Meolor <br />25 Aupuni Street, Suite 2603 • Hilo, Hawai'i 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 />April 11, 2018 <br />Valerie Poindexter, Council Chair and <br />Members of the Hawaii County Council <br />Hawaii County Council <br />25 Aupuni Street <br />Hilo, Hawai'i 96720 <br />Dear Ms. Poindexter & Council Members, <br />RE: Proposed General Excise Tax (GET) Surcharge <br />The State Legislature is considering extending the opportunity for counties to <br />adopt a GET Surcharge (HB2587). Current estimates just received from the State Tax <br />Research & Planning Officer, Department of Taxation, State of Hawai'i are double the <br />previous estimates presented to the County Council. This corrected estimate was due <br />to the method of allocation to the Counties. <br />I strongly support HB2587 and request the County Council to support the GET <br />Surcharge. I do understand the approval of HB2587 is still uncertain but have been <br />informed of the positive influences the Administration and especially the County Council <br />support would have on its outcome. <br />Members of the legislature responsible for HB2587 have made changes that is <br />so beneficial to the needs of Hawai'i County. Those changes relate to how the <br />revenues are to be spent and is explained further in the attachment. Should HB2587 <br />pass and the County Council enact the GET Surcharge Ordinance, this administration <br />commits to the County Council a fully cooperative approach in setting priorities on the <br />expenditures of these additional revenues. <br />Attachment <br />Thank you, <br />arry Kim <br />Mayor <br />County or 1.1awai'i is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Ninployer, <br />