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Hawaii County Council <br /> 25 Aupini St. <br /> <br /> Hilo,Hi.,96720 ' ` ; „ 18 May,2001 <br /> <br /> Dear Council Members, _ , <br /> Last evening's council meeting was appreciated as a chance for West I-Iawaii residents <br /> to give viewpoints on the issue of county property taxes.l believe that a fairly consistent <br /> position emerged.I may have failed to clearly articulate my own opinions,which were <br /> generally consistent with the collective testimony. <br /> First,compared with other jurisdictions,I think that our tax rates per thousand are very <br /> low,and our exemptions overly generous.By example,my Hawaii exemptions are 30 times <br /> greater than my California exemptions would be,were I a resident of that state. <br /> I would rather see the mizumum raised by the mechanism of reducing everyone's <br /> exemptions rather than by saying'The new minimum shall be X'.The first method treats <br /> all the same,whereas the second singles out the least affluent for an increase in taxes.I <br /> believe that the first would therefore be less likely to be seen as picking on one group,and <br /> would raise more taxes as well. <br /> My second point was that the county has pretty great needs for greater revenues.Tax <br /> increases are not popular topics for elected officials-or voters.So if we are going to <br /> spend the political capitai,peyhaps we should boldly make many changes in a single <br /> package,so that the topic of tax increases need not be broached again for several to <br /> many years.I think that many good ideas for this were given in testimony. <br /> We all seemed to agree that mitigation measures must be part of any package for those <br /> why are living on small fixed incomes.It might be possible that anyone wishing to,in a <br /> home below some maximum assessed value,could choose the option of having a tax lien <br /> placed in lieu of annual payments.This would avoid the embarassment of having to <br /> prove <br /> poverty.If this were done,the annual interest should be set annually as e.g. the 2 largest <br /> savings bank passbook rates plus 1%so that the option is not used as a profit maker,i.e. <br /> they can get more interest banking the taxes and paying interest on the lien,than by <br /> paying the taxes. <br /> Finally,councilman Elarionoff raised a very good point about groups with a lifestyle <br /> which does not produce cash income,but is a lifestyle of the land.I think that his point <br /> was well taken,and may go beyond the remedy discussed above.My ignorance on this <br /> aspect astounds even me.I think that it is a valuable point which needs consideration by <br /> those with an understanding of the topic.I am confident that County Council has the <br /> knowledge and compassion to suggest just solutions. <br /> Again,my appreciation to the County Council for the opportunity to attend this <br /> meeting in Kona. <br /> Respectfnu/l~ly, <br /> Comm. No. _ <br /> File No. <br /> Ref. To' O V N G l L <br /> la~f. 2 . ~nm <br /> _ <br /> <br />