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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0645.025 2020-2022 jll 12� y COUNTYL R �o Ty J�"X" I MPR Hawaii Island Economic Development board Hawaii County Council Committee on Finance Bill 126 12 April 2022 Aloha Chair Kaneali'i-Kleinfelder,Vice Chair Kimball,and Honorable Council Finance Committee Members, I am submitting this written testimony as Executive Director and Chief Operating Officer on behalf of the Hawaii Island Economic Development Board (HIEDB) a private member-based 501(c)3 organization incorporated in 1984. Our membership of broad socio-economic representatives is committed to provide and promote support and expertise for balanced growth in Hawaii County in partnership with Federal,State, County, and private sector resources to ensure a thriving, resilient community,and economic development. As we begin recovery from the socio-economic challenges experienced these past two years, we also face the confluence of rising costs for food, energy, healthcare, labor, supplies and materials for doing business, and a supply chain that is not fully recovered. Similarly,the County finds itself facing increased costs and the necessity of finding ways to balance the budget while still delivering services. Understandably real property tax assessments must be considered however, we are genuinely concerned about the near and long-term cascading impacts on our community overall, and landowners who are receiving notice of significant increases, sometimes at 100%and higher, in real property tax assessments. Please consider providing relief such as through a cap similar to that which has been placed on valuations for homeowners. We believe that in addition to the predictability needed by our community and financial institutions, such policy will also provide the County with a higher level of predictability in its revenue projections. Mahalo for allowing this opportunity to testify and request that the shock and negative impact of unduly excessive assessment increases be addressed. Respectfully Submitted, Jacqui Hoover Phone: (808) 935-2180 Fax: (808)443-0873 Mail: 67-1185 Mamalahoa Hwy, Unit D104#353, Kamuela, HI 967 mm• NO E-mail: hiedbPa hiedb.org Website: www.hiedb.org Ref. o; P I v Ref. tete APR 1 2 2022