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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0675.066 2022-2024 CO lT ' { L January 23,2024 Hawaii County Council Meeting 20211 JAN 2 2 Aid 9: VA 101 Aupuni Street, Suite 1401 Hilo, HI 96720 • Dear Representative Kimball, Representative Kierkiewicz and Members of the Council: I respectfully oppose Bill 121. I am the owner/operator of Hilo Kennels &DayCamp since 2010, as well as a vacation rental host since 2020. I applied for and received a Transient Accommodations Tax Certificate of Registration;TA-056-756-8384-01, dated 10/15/2020. I am semi-retired from the dog care business so the passive income from the vacation rental helps to pay for mortgage, taxes, insurance and living expenses. I will be 67 years old this year and will not be able to manage a physically demanding career much longer. East Hawaii has been a particularly challenging business environment for the past several years. A stroll through Hilo town and through the mall provides a glimpse of shuttered stores and closed restaurants. It is my sincere belief that the 22% tax rate on transient accommodations should be sufficient for the County's coffers. Digging deeper into the pockets of hosts,which are often retirees and families, does not seem appropriate at this time, especially considering the other opportunities available for increased revenue. I reviewed my notes and submissions from 2018,where I served on the Cost of Government commission. We made a few recommendations that have still not been considered, including increased fees at the Hilo Municipal Golf Course (added income of at least $277,200 based on 2018 calculations),fees for non-residents to the Panaewa Zoo (added income of at least$783,750 based on 2018 calculations) and parking fees initiated at all county complexes,including recreational areas,would help fund much needed infrastructure improvements and budget shortfalls. I urge you to withdraw your proposal for added and increased fees for owner hosted, single unit transient.accommodations, as well as street/curbside posting of the registration number. Hawaii Island would not benefit from more signs along the roadways. Structures are already required to post their address curbside or on the structure,for Federal US Postal Service purposes of mail delivery. Mahalo nui loa for your time and consideration of my testimony today. Jenipher Jones 120 Hoaka Road Hilo,HI 96720 (808) 895-9453 jj:cc file • Comm. No. 'l g. Ref. To: IMMO Ref. Date JAW 2 3 2024