HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0217.005 2000-2002 Hawaii County Council
25 Aupini St.
Hilo,Hi.,96720 ' ` ; „ 18 May,2001
Dear Council Members, _ ,
Last evening's council meeting was appreciated as a chance for West I-Iawaii residents
to give viewpoints on the issue of county property taxes.l believe that a fairly consistent
position emerged.I may have failed to clearly articulate my own opinions,which were
generally consistent with the collective testimony.
First,compared with other jurisdictions,I think that our tax rates per thousand are very
low,and our exemptions overly generous.By example,my Hawaii exemptions are 30 times
greater than my California exemptions would be,were I a resident of that state.
I would rather see the mizumum raised by the mechanism of reducing everyone's
exemptions rather than by saying'The new minimum shall be X'.The first method treats
all the same,whereas the second singles out the least affluent for an increase in taxes.I
believe that the first would therefore be less likely to be seen as picking on one group,and
would raise more taxes as well.
My second point was that the county has pretty great needs for greater revenues.Tax
increases are not popular topics for elected officials-or voters.So if we are going to
spend the political capitai,peyhaps we should boldly make many changes in a single
package,so that the topic of tax increases need not be broached again for several to
many years.I think that many good ideas for this were given in testimony.
We all seemed to agree that mitigation measures must be part of any package for those
why are living on small fixed incomes.It might be possible that anyone wishing to,in a
home below some maximum assessed value,could choose the option of having a tax lien
placed in lieu of annual payments.This would avoid the embarassment of having to
prove
poverty.If this were done,the annual interest should be set annually as e.g. the 2 largest
savings bank passbook rates plus 1%so that the option is not used as a profit maker,i.e.
they can get more interest banking the taxes and paying interest on the lien,than by
paying the taxes.
Finally,councilman Elarionoff raised a very good point about groups with a lifestyle
which does not produce cash income,but is a lifestyle of the land.I think that his point
was well taken,and may go beyond the remedy discussed above.My ignorance on this
aspect astounds even me.I think that it is a valuable point which needs consideration by
those with an understanding of the topic.I am confident that County Council has the
knowledge and compassion to suggest just solutions.
Again,my appreciation to the County Council for the opportunity to attend this
meeting in Kona.
Respectfnu/l~ly,
Comm. No. _
File No.
Ref. To' O V N G l L
la~f. 2 . ~nm
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