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Home My WebLink AboutREP FC 140 2024/02/06 2022-2024 Hawaii County Council-32 February 21,2024 BILLS FOR ORDINANCES (FIRST READING) Bill 120: AMENDS CHAPTER 19 OF THE HAWAII COUNTY CODE 1983 (Draft 2) (2016 EDITION, AS AMENDED) BY ADDING A NEW ARTICLE RELATING TO A REAL PROPERTY TAX STABILIZATION PROGRAM Establishes a fixed-rate property tax stabilization program for property owners who are at least 85 years old that utilize the property as their principal residence, and the property has a net taxable real property value of less than $2 million. Reference: Comm. 674.3 Intr. by: Ms. Evans Negative: FC-140 (Due to a vote of 3-ayes, 4-noes, 2-absent) AMENDED TO DRAFT 3 AND POSTPONED TO THE CALL OF THE CHAIR: Ayes: Council Members Evans, Galimba, Inaba, Kagiwada, Kierkiewicz, Lee Loy, Villegas, and Chair Kimball 8. Noes: None. Absent: Council Member KAneali`i-Kleinfelder— 1. Excused: None. Bill 128: AMENDS CHAPTER 11, ARTICLE 1, SECTION 11-15, OF THE HAWAI`I (Draft 2) COUNTY CODE 1983 (2016 EDITION, AS AMENDED), RELATING TO TRANSFER OF EXCESS AFFORDABLE HOUSING CREDITS Requires developers of affordable housing projects to obtain approval from the Housing Administrator prior to initiating the transfer of excess affordable housing credits and that the Housing Administrator validate any such transfer upon its completion. Reference: Comm. 695.2 Intr. by: Mr. Inaba and Ms. Kimball Approve: PCPLUD-8 PASSED 1ST READING: Ayes: Council Members Evans, Galimba, Inaba, Kagiwada, Kierkiewicz, Lee Loy, Villegas, and Chair Kimball — 8. Noes: None. Absent: Council Member Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder— 1. Excused: None. Page 9 REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON FINANCE DATE: February 6, 2024 Re: Comm. No. 674/Bill No. 120 PLACE: Council Chambers Hilo, Hawaii TIME: 2:01 p.m. Council Chair and Members Hawaii County Council Hilo, Hawaii 96720 Your Committee on Finance, to which was referred Bill No. 120, reports as follows: Bill No. 120, transmitted by Committee Member Cindy Evans via Communication No. 674 dated January 3, 2024, amends Chapter 19 of the Hawaii County Code 1983 (2016 Edition, as amended) by adding a new article relating to a Real Property Tax Stabilization Program. This bill establishes a fixed-rate property tax stabilization program for property owners who are at least 85 years old that utilize the property as their principal residence. On January 23, 2024, following discussions among several Committee Members, Committee Member Cindy Evans moved to postpone Bill No. 120 to the February 6, 2024 meeting of the Finance Committee in Hilo. The vote was taken on the postponement and passed. On February 6, 2024, a discussion on Bill No. 120 was held. Committee Member Cindy Evans provided some background and moved to amend Bill No. 120 with the contents of Communication No. 674.2. Communication 674.2 would amend Section 19-108, Subsection (a). Assistant Real Property Tax Administrator Keita Jo commented on the amendment and was available to answer any questions. Multiple Committee Members spoke in support of the amendment. The vote was taken on the motion to amend Bill No. 120 with the contents of Communication No. 674.2 and passed with seven "ayes." The Committee began discussion on Bill No. 120, as amended. Ms. Evans spoke to the amended bill and asked for her colleagues' support. Multiple Committee Members spoke in opposition of this bill. Committee Members were concerned about the long-term financial impact of the bill and asked if the department could provide more clarity on how this would affect the County. FC Report No. 140 FC-140 Page 2 February 6, 2024 Ms. Evans spoke to her colleagues and stated that she intended to assist the kupuna who wanted to remain in their homes. Ms. Evans stated that she heard multiple stories from people whose partners were the sole providers and who themselves did not make an income and are now facing displacement due to their inability to pay their rising property tax. Committee Member Heather Kimball commented in response to Ms. Evans, and said that she understood Ms. Evans' intent and supported her, but she couldn't support this. Your Committee on Finance is not in accord with the purpose and intent of Bill No. 120, as amended to Draft 2, and forwards it to Council with a negative recommendation. lkh AYES NOES ADS EX EVANS X GALIMBA X INABA X KAGIWADA X KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER X KIERKIEWICZ X KIMBALL X LEE LOY X VILLEGAS X Respectfully submitted, COMMITTEE ON FINANCE MATT KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER, CHAIR FC REPORT NO.: 140 ADOPTED: