HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0257.007 2000-2002 P. O. I3ox 817
Volcano, HI 96785
July 5, 2001
Harry Kim
25 Aupuni Street
Hilo, HI 96720
Dear Mayor Kim,
This is in regard to bill #95, concerning the raising of the minimum tax from $25 to $100.
I would like to get my input into the study you are making on the topic. As you know, I
own property in the former Kalapana Gardens-2 plots to be exact. My tax bill for these
properties will rise from $50 to $200. I would be happy to pay that amount if I could
officially locate my properties and be able to start plantings on it. Until the county and
subdivision roads are surveyed, however, the cost of surveying my properties will be
prohibitive.
I have read about possible special allowances being made for lava victims but I gave
testimony at the council meeting the last time the minimum tax was raised. I got the
feeling then that no one was listening, and obviously no one was, since no special
exemption was made for us. Since I own several other properties, I pay my share for
county services, but the tax on the Kalapana properties reeks of "taxation without
representation." Should this tax increase be passed, I will follow the only recourse open
to me. I will refuse to pay it. The properties are currently useless to me. Multiply my
action by 1000's more who feel as I do or perhaps cannot pay it, and the raise in taxes can
be negligible.
What do I suggest? If it really costs $40 to process the paperwork (why it should in this
day of electronic advances, I wonder), double the tax to $50. Even that will raise an
outcry, but increasing the minimum to 4 times the current level is an outrage that will
elicit responses such as mine.
Sincerely,
k Lm Made Moulds Carr
cc: James Arakaki and council members
Aaron Chung, chairman, Finance Committer,
Comm. No, ~ / ?
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