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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0533.038 2000-2002 Testimony from Brenda Ford iVlay 16, 2002 Many of the concerns and complaints that you are hearing tonight from those of us in West Hawaii are the result of the inequitable service/infrastructure distribution between the east side and the west side. I know some of you are tired of hearing about "the east vs. the west" and do not want to admit that "east vs. west" problem exists but the reality is that there is an inequity of services and infrastructure between the east and the west. I drove in Milo yesterday ~ what excellent roads and parks Hilo has. I called the police and fire departments Kilo has plenty of both services per resident. West Hawaii has crumbling or non- existent infrastructure and too few police and fire personnel! And yet, we still get snubbed by the majority of this council when it comes to getting a fair return for our taxes. You may take offense at my statement but the truth is that the majority of you is responsible for voting down infrastructure improvements and improved services for West Hawaii. Getting defensive when the truth is spoken is counterproductive. We need positive change. Councilmember Pisicchio has advised me that the per resident cost for the average county infrastructure is $1,083, the public safety cost is $407 per resident . Both equal $1,490 (County Finance Department - Rlovember 6, 2001). Almost $1500 per resident! These costs per resident exist wlfBe~her ®e' X011 a resident has county water, electricity, or roads. I know that there are those individuals who say that the east side supported the west side for many years before West Hawaii exploded in population and property values. Well, West Hawaii has more than repaid that debt! it is now time for fairness and that means that each of us must pay a fair share of the general services burden of this county. Equitable taxes and tax reform must take place now. One of the neglected issues in tax reform is the exemptions for Homeowners, Elderly, Disabled, & Disabled Veterans, etc. They are too high. After the current exemptions are applied, many properties have zero tax liability. Even if you raise the tax base, these properties wilt stilt pay the minimum tax because their tax base is zero. The minimum tax of $25 or even $100 is absurd. !t costs more than $25 to send a tax bill. I recommend that the exemptions for Homeowners, Elderly, Disabled, & Disabled Veterans, etc. be reduced to $10,000 each. This change will impact everyone equally, allows many more homes to be returned to the tax rolls as paying residents, and each property will pay at #east a portion of the general services and infrastructure costs. The tax base must also be increased; $4.45 is not enough, however, there must be some guarantee that West Hawaii and other neglected communities will immediately start seeing their infrastructure improved. 25%, 35%, even 45% return on our tax dollars is inadequate; 75% guaranteed return would be realistic since West Hawaii has a lot of catching up to do. There is no single answer to the revenue crisis we are in. You wilt hear many good ideas tonight. I hope you incorporate them all in a tax reform package. ~ 1ldiahalo for coming to Kona for this meeting. &~~~~:.~e___a.. V4/~llle li Qay ~ I''i l~ I~Toe f~. ~`O'