HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0118.002 2002-2004 '~1'~
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Curtis Tyler
From: "Baird Appraisals" <baird~mykonahawaii.neb RECEIV'IC{y
To: cetyllreintarpar..net>
Gc: <joecc~interpac.neb; <gusb(~aloha.net>; <cll(jglava.net> +I+iie , B y„
Sent: Monday, February 17, 2003 12:36 PM Dara~..-. ~:_l _ r'_
Subject: Fw: Bi1140 (Comm. 119} Coon Coundl
Aloha again, `7i r
r'
I forgot to discuss Kamehameha Schools Ag leases. In the mid 1970's s lease requirement was that the land be
dedicated, with this being done on the 20 year program. When the dedication expired In the Tate 1990's, farmers
were infomled by the tax office that Kamehameha Schools was not approving the dedicat"ron & that ag use
application was necessary. I believe most of the Kamehameha eg Iaasee are actual use & not dedicated.
The ramlfioalions of Bill 49 to tho lapt:ohold fatmors will be pronounced if dedioatinn is nnf allowed by
Kamehameha Schools. Does the drafter of BIII 49 know the position of Kamehameha Schools, and if not, how can
the BIII be passed?
.Another upsetting aspect of this Bill is the lack of public notice (4 days) & the lack of public hearings. Have any
sunshine laws been breached?
Original Message
From: Baird gpora{cols
To: Mylci;(o~inter 3a c net
Cc: jgggF(~jinj~g~, ; ausblrDaWtt~.net ; cll~o lava.net
Sent: Monday, February 17, 2003 8:42 AM
Subject: Bill 49 (Gomm. 1 te)
Aloha Curtis,
Kona Farmers Alliance is apposed to this bill as if is anti agriculture and a property tax increase to the small
farmerc of Kona
Non Dedicated Ag_?1~e
1. Assesses land being farmed at 25°~ increasing to a stabilized 75°~ of Market Value (MV). Currently coffee
assigned $1500/ac with $14.78/ac taxes, proposal at 25% of current approximate $30,000 to $40,000 MV would
result in $73.88 to $98.60/ac, a very substantial increase, and even worse as the 50 and 75% kicks in. Another
factor here is that tlx current MV assessment is approximatety 30 to 40% under what really exists from market
sales. When the MV usassmont is adjusted upward to reality, the tax inrreasw will wen he mare pronounced
2. Assesses house site and non farmed land at 106% of MV
3. Continues to not allow owner occupied house to receive the homeowner rate
aq Use Dedicated
1. Assesses farmed land un a piuductivity basis, as it is now
2. Assesses non fammd land at 100% of MV and assigns house site a value based on comparably sized
homesite, again a large tax increase, try and buy a house lot for under $80,000 In Kona
3. Continues t0 not allow owner occupied hou~mg the homeowner rate,
The small farmers of Kona, no matter which way they go are hit with a property tax indrea5e- If they Stay non
dedicated there land taxes go up, If they dedicate a house site assessment Increases there taxes.
The income roquiremont for dodioation dooo not p vrp ido onyJalicf /or th~ I t develop a form or orchard, end
wmm. iV G (1I s~. 2~
File No. H~~~„~
Ref, To: heeeely ?/18/03
b0 3gt1d DateFEB 1 S ZQ93 L69S9LE bT:bT E00i:/BT/Z0
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drives the development cost higher. A developing farm would have to be non dedicated until it produces tha
necessary X2,000 inwme. The Dill also tloesn't givo much rellof to thu tax payer maingining native forest ac it
will never produce any inwme.
Bill 49 will be an administrative n,ghtmare for the tax omce particularly regarding tl,e Iwuse site under the
dedication. It is conceivable coffee planted to the footprint could produce a very smell bt size (less than the 5,000
square tract minimum albwed legally). There are no market comparables for small lots other than
remnant sales.
As put forth by Bill Takabo, the pupose of assessing tM house site on ag is to Y.+9 P?irar to the residential lax
payer. 7o be fair to the farmers, they should receive the $5.55Rhousantl homeowner rate on there houses and not
have to pay the current $9.85ithousand, especially if an ag house lot is rated like a residential lot.
In summary, we are opposed to this bill as the uniqueness of farming in a high land cost area such as Kona will
result in major property tax increases. Regardless whether this bill moves forward, farmers shoultl be allowed the
lower homeowner rate for there houses, with our organization seeking wuncll support to attain this.
Thank you for allowing uc tho opportunity to present our position.
Respectfully submitted,
tarry rt. galyd
Kona Farmers Alliance
2/18/03
50 39t1d OWN L69S9LE 4L~Di E00L/BZ/Z0