HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0449.006 2020-2022 1�
To: Hawai'i County Council
Committee on Finance
25 Aupum Street
Hilo, HI 96720
counciltestimonyg1lawaiicounty. ov
From: Bronsten Kossow
P.O. Box 2993
Kailua-Kona, HI 96740
Brous 10kale�aii.com
co
October 18, 2021
Re: Testifying to Bill 81.
Aloha Finance Committee Chair Matt Kaneali'i-Kleinfelder, Vice-Chair Heather
Kimball, and members of the Hawai'i County Council Finance Committee,
3
I am writing as an individual and community member of the County of Hawai'i. I support 3
the intentions of Bill 81 and would like to address the concerns about the microcosmic aspect
upon our community members who will be affected.
The Hawai'i State Legislature passed H.B. 862 `the gut-and-replace bill', as much as it is
i
gut wrenching, there unfortunately is nothing the County can do within its jurisdiction to oppose
such measure, however, as the language in H.B. 862 to amend H.R.S 46 to establish not more
than 3% Transient Accommodations Tax within the County Code, which is the intention of Bill
81.
While the transient accommodation tax (TAT) can be equitable because some residents
don't pay into the tax, while others do. Small vacation rentals will be the largest target, due to the
4.712% general excise tax(which .50% is allocated to county roads), the current TAT is at
10.25%, an additional 3%would total (along with GET), 17.962%in taxes for all rentals as
proposed to this council, that is an obscene amount of taxes. Now it is noted that these taxes
don't hurt businesses directly, it impacts the consumer,but businesses must tach on their
additional taxes to a room rate. As an example, the room rate of$150.00 (on a non-busy season)
will additionally be $176.94, a $26.94 tax. I worry some local families will not be able to afford
the incremental increases, and often worry if this additional TAT will make a consumer second
guess their decision to come to Hawai'i Island. However, other counties have already passed
similar ordinances to that of which is being proposed. If all counties are supportive of the same
tax, I don't believe there will be changes into tourism, I just worry about it long-term, as the
short-term the life of our local government still need to thrive and pay its bills amidst a
pandemic.
If there is a way to sunset the tax sooner as the County Finance Department find an
equitable way to adjust, I think that should be considered.
Thank you for allowing me to testify,
Bronsten Kossow
Comm.N
Ref.To: Moe
Ref.Date