HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0365.003 2002-2004
FROM F+D HOLSCHUH - 3F RANCH PHONE NO. 7759027 Nov. 17 2003 09:48AM Pl
FRED C. HOLSCHUH, M.D. Phone: (808) 961-8264
CauncAmembe. r~ ~~t__.; FAk: ~'-(8D8) 96l-8912
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HRWAI'I COUNTYCOUNCLG CC. <
County ofHawatt COUN I ~ ~I= H~,N.; ;il
Hawaii County BWlding
23 Aupuni Srrect. Surre 209
Hllo, Hawail96120
November 17, 2003
TO: Aaron Chung, Chair, Finance Committee and Councilmemlzrs
FROM: Fred C. Holschuh, M.A., Member
SUBJECT: Real Property Taxes
Dear Aaron:
You asked for some thoughts on taxes. I have bean thinking about how to best
cownent and the word that comes to mind is fairness.
¦ A revenue stream to ovr county is of worse essential, especially regarding the
provision of basic heahh and safety issues i.e., fire, police, EMS, safe roads,
parks, etc.
¦ My thought on fainters regarding property taxes means that the pour, disabled,
and retired, as well as other wage earners, are abk to five on oiu island, stay in
tittir family homes if desired, maintain small farms if desired, and pass ancestral
property to thou o$'spring without rising taxes in general or on surrounding lands,
in particular, prec}uding continuing ownership.
¦ Another aspect of fairness, in rrry opinion, rogards exemptions. I asked the
question at the last workshop, and T thought I was told that if an extremely
weahhy hottteowner lives here, they are entitled to exactly the Same exemptions
as someone barely surviving on social security and/or pension income. These are
the people who can't afford prescription drugs and for whom state and national
legislative relief are being sought. It seems that an elderly retired muhi-
ttu'Ilionaire or greater, should not be equal in exemption status to those bordering
on poverty.
The thoughts come easily, ifonly the solutions were as easy. Thank you.
Aloha,
Fred C. Holschuh, M.A.
Comm.1'k.
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