HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0089.004 2002-2004 Art and Rene Kimura
62 East Kawili Street
Hilo, HI 96720
Honorable Cowrcilwoman Bobby Jean Leithead-Todd, District 2 ~ r'
Hawaii County ~ ' ' "
25 Aupuni Street
Hilo, Hawaii 96720 Janu~ry29, 2003
Dear Councilwoman Leithead-Todd,
Aloha. We have been following in the paper the proposals being discussed to assist the county in balancing
the budget. Among the items being discussed is the proposal to raise the monthly sewer service fees
currently being charged to those homeowners who have connected to the sewer system. As I had discussed
earlier with the county wastewater management office, I find it inequitable if the monthly charges are raised
for those connected; the purpose of having a wastewater treatment system and facility is to reduce ground
water pollution. We all benefit by this, whether we are on the system or not. Those of us whose homes are
located adjacent to the main roads where the wastewater pipes have been installed had to spend thousands of
dollars in hiring contractors to fill in cess pools and have the connector pipes installed. Houses just yards
away who are not directly adjacent to the main roads have not had this financial burden and are not being
charged even a nominal fee to support the wastewater system. We believe the financial burden in providing
cleaner ground water should be shared by everyone and not only those connected. This would be similar to
charging user fees to those who use the police, fire, rubbish dump, road or other user services provided by
the County.
The evaluation of land use and property assessments should lead toward some increase in revenues to the
county by removing ag designated lots which are not used for ag purposes. It is baffling to us how raising a
horse or a few potted plants can be provide adequate evidence of ag use when in fact, no ag activities or
businesses are being conducted, and therefore, a significant reduction in property taxes results.
We appreciate the work of you and your office in providing the Big Island with a safe and clean environment
and in trying to generate further economic growth. We hope that the county services which are provided to
benefit all of us can be equitably assessed. Those on fixed incomes, especially senior citizens, will be
heavily burdened if asked to cant' a significant financial portion of a system that we all benefit from. We
know that you have heard similar expressions of concern from others and ask that our input be added to the
data being collected. Mahalo.
Sincerely yours,
Art Kimura Rene Kimura
Comm. N •
File No.
Ref. To: ' ~ -
Ref. Date EEB 0 4 2003