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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0387.016 2000-2002 Glenna Jac®bs 15-2722 Popaa Strut 808/965-0361 Pahoa, HI 96778 November 20, 2001 TESTIMONY BEFORE T'HE HAWAII COUNTY COUNCIL FINANCE C®MMITTEE First of all t want you to know Bill 121 did not come about because of the World Trade Center tragedy and the lack of tourists. I was down here long before that to protest this same $100 minimum tax bill. Second Mainland people do not retire in Hawaii because of low taxes and exemptions. We were here many years before we got an exemption and then we saw it in the paper and had already passed up several years when we could have had it. ~ ~ , r~~~ The biggest reason for moving to Hawaii is probably climate. - ~ ~ ~ ` ~b~ry T~ound?I P r c I am protesting a minimum tax because it is a very unfair distribution of paying the County's expenses. There has been a lot of talk about the expense of mailing a tax statement. Is there some reason this expense can't be charged to everyone? The minimum tax of $100 affects people who own property appraised at less than $10,0.00. This is usually vacant property and they receive services. In most cases they pay association dues to even keep a road to their property. The County provides . services. This is extremely unfair to expect these people to pay for the County overspending. Why just the low end properties and not everyone? A higher levy rate would increase my taxes and it would yours too. Right? If $100 minimum tax is applied, most people won't really realize what's happened to them until they get their tax statement and then, believe me, they are going to want to know what you, the Council members, Mr. Kim and Mr. Takaba pay per $1000 of appraisal. ~ • ~~a ~i~ mod.