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Richard H. Bennett Ph.D., Chairman <br />Hawaii Island Council, Hawaiian Islands Land Trust <br />P. 0. Box 895 <br />Honaunau, HI 96726 <br />The Cost of Service Data for almost 200 counties is provided in the attachment. For Skagit <br />County, Revenue to Services Ratio (dollars): <br />Residential Commercial Working & <br />Including Farms Open land <br />Source <br />Skagit 1 : 1.25 1 : 0.30 1 : 0.51 American Farmland <br />County Trust, 1999 <br />All 1 : 1.16 1 : 0.30 1 : 0.37 AFT 2016 <br />Studies <br />The ratio for Hawai`i more than likely is not somehow unique where the ratio for residential is <br />1:1. Rather it is more likely to be similar to Skagit County as it has a similar economic base. <br />The proverbial "bottom line" for our county is simple. Public investment in land conservation <br />helps conserve county revenue while protecting the land. It has multiple benefits and at a lesser <br />cost than residential development. <br />Again, with reasoned economic assurances, the Charter Commission would be well advised to <br />withdraw the proposal to reduce funding for open space conservation and in so doing help to <br />protect the county's tax base. <br />Malama Pono, <br />/s R.H. Bennett <br />