HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0883.013 2022-2024 P/S.Council
R4).525-21-I
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From: 808slopez
Sent: Tuesday, May 28, 2024 8:35 PM
To: Council Testimony
Cc: Inaba, Holeka; Baez, Wendy;Villegas, Rebecca
Subject: Bill 525-24 SUPPORT
County Council,
It is with much satisfaction and support that we may finally get some relief from property taxes in Hawaii
County. While the tax rate itself may not be considered onerous to some it becomes onerous with the constant
increase in values. Even the 3%cap on RE tax increase for homeowners is ALWAYS assessed at this maximum
increase. We citizens of Hawaii County continually suffer from unaffordable housing, loss of jobs and are
routinely hit with rising costs over which we have no control and no opportunity to seek parity with inflation.
This reduction helps to correct the"temporary"tax set with Mayor Billy Kenoi during the last great economic
downturn. The County Council agreed with the Mayor to avoid significant shortfalls and all agreed it to be
temporary. At that time Councilmember Margaret Wiley sought agreement to revisit this temporary increase in the
following fiscal year as a reversal in a year of improved economic climate. As elections failed to maintain the
tenure of Ms Wiley the citizens lost their voice to follow-thru on this promise.The temporary tax has remained and
became the base for compounding of the tax.
I urge you to look long and hard at the economic impact of RE tax on our vulnerable population of seniors,those
out of work and those living in"million dollar homes"to their detriment only because of the length of their home
ownership.
▪ r▪ 7)
Mahalo for your consideration to support Bill 525-24.
Steve Lopez
Kailua Kona -��
Comm. N.. b0b� ,�
Ref. To: l 11 It1ffl
Ref. Date ice 0 2024
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