Laserfiche WebLink
_ Big Island Farm Bureau <br /> mailing address: P.O. Box 2341 •Kealakekua, Hawaii 96750 <br /> 79.1016 East Honalo Road Kealakekua, Hawaii 96750 <br /> Phone (808) 324-6011 • Fax (808) 322-9633 • E-Mail: bifb@verizon.net <br /> November 22, 2004 ~ ` <br /> G~ <br /> Council Member Aazon S.Y. Chung <br /> Council Member J. Curtis Tyler, III - <br /> The Hawaii County Council <br /> 25 Aupuni Street, Ste 209 ~ ~ <br /> Hilo, HI 96720 <br /> RE: Bi1149, Draft 4 <br /> Dear Council Members: <br /> The Big Island Farm Bureau is pleased to have this opportunity to provide supportive comments <br /> regazding action taken on Bi1149 Draft 4, relating to real property tax assessment of agricultural <br /> lands. The valuation method using agricultural values provides a more equitable process to <br /> assess home sites on agriculture lands. <br /> Concerns have been raised regazding the ability of home sites on agriculture lands to qualify for <br /> Homeowner Class and a $40,000 exemption. Bi1149 Draft 4 results in an immediate tax base <br /> increase of $40,000 for agricultural producers who dedicated their home site to agriculture, and <br /> at a substantially higher rate than the Home Owner class. We are certain that producers will take <br /> <br /> the option of paying fewer taxes, thereby removing more land from agricultural dedication. The <br /> Big Island Farm Bureau questions why the Homeowner Exemption is being disallowed for <br /> agricultural producers residing on their farms or ranches who dedicate their property to <br /> agriculture. <br /> There aze legitimate reasons to provide a discount for the lands in agriculture: agricultural <br /> production is a land based business, it is an important part of the economy, and land volumes aze <br /> high because of the nature of the business. <br /> Comm. No. I_~ ~L <br /> Ref. To: <br /> Ref. Uate Q~~ 1 ~Qa <br /> Hilo • Hamakua • Kohala • Kona <br /> <br />