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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0387.017 2000-2002 . o-: = ~ ' , ~1 ~ _ Nov. 7, 2001 ~ ~ ry~ r•., 1 °fo: Hawaii County Council ~`r~ f ~'<s.~~,r , from: Jan 11Aahuna Jan Mahuna Inc. Re: $100 Minimum fax Cear Council f6llembers: I was truly disappointed to read in this morning's paper that the $100.00 minimum - tax proposal has once again been deferred. 1 know that this issue has been lingering for much too long. As a taxpayer 1 believe that we all must contribute our fair share to the County for the services that are provided to us and the $100.00 minimum tax is fair. Many who qualify for the minimum tax live in homes that are worth a lot of money. one only needs to review tax records to know that. I realize that there may be those who do not live in mansions and may not be able to afford $75.00 more a year in property taxes but those people are in the minority. for those who feel that they live in tuna and do not have electric or wa#er, it is a . choice they made to live in those areas. The County does not provide electricity nor does it provide water service. ~`hese amenities were paid for by developers . when property was subdivided. for those of us who live with electric service and water service we pay for these services - it does not get paid out of our tax dollars. for those who live on private roads -they chose to buy there and pay ~ road maintenance fees to have the roads maintained within the subdivision. for _ those who live in subdivisions without road maintenance fees, again that was their choice. `They paid a lot less for their land because it was substandard and the County has no obligation to maintain roads that do not meet County standards. Again , it was a choice made by the buyer to live in a substandard subdivision. Y~~ ~Yl~ Nay. , Ref. - - lief. ~ 9 Page 2 ~°he services that we do gat via tax dollars are shared by all -Police, Fire, Civil Defense, highway maintenance, street lights, parks etc.. We are in dire need of more Police Officers and Firefighters. We all need them and we all have had to call on them. fi hey need new equipment and weapons to combat increased crime. Our tax dollars can only go so far and a minimum tax of $100.00 is well within reason. sincerely hope that on Nov. 20, 2001 when this issue will be before you again, that you will aft have the courage to pass the $100.00 minimum tax bill. You will never please all of the people all of the time but it is most important that your decision- is based on what is right and what is needed and a $100.00 minimum tax is the right thing to do for all the services that the County provides to taxpayers. It has been long overdue. I do agree that properties that have been destroyed by lava and have no access should not have to pay any tax for a property that cannot be used due to a natural disaster. I sincerely hope that you will settle this issue in a timely manner. 1 truly believe that most of the people agree that $100.00 minimum tax is fair. I know I do and in a few years I will be able to take advantage of this very low rate which I look forward to paying. ~°he young and able should not be made to foot the bills for everyone else. We all are provided with the same County services. Again, the County does not provide electricity nor water to anyone nor does it provide roads for subdivisions. Developers paid for these amenities at the time of subdivision and buyers paid for it in the price of their properties in order to enjoy the amenities. It did not come from tax dollars. everyone uses our highways that must be maintained. everyone calls the Police or Firefighters when needed. everyone is protected by Civil Defense, we enjoy the parks, we have swimming pools -even in Puna. We all need to pay our fair share and $100.00 per year is not too much to ask. ~ 1~ ~"1 _)<.t Jani' All. Allahuna Prin ipal-Broker .