HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0717.026 2004-2006 Vagc 1 of 1
Murashige, Laura
From: Hart Phillips [ham@kona.net]
Sent: Tuesday, March 28, 2006 4:55 PM
To: www.counciltestimony@co.hawaii.hi.us
Cc: jjoco@co.hawaii.hi.us; Isbell, Virginia; Pilago, K. Angel; Arakaki, James; Higa, Stacy; Hoffmann,
Pete; Holschuh, Fred; Ikeda, Donald; Takai, Wesley; Kim, Harry; Safarik, Gary
Subject: Reduction in Property Tax Rates
Aloha Council Members! My name is Hartley Phillips and I just received this year's property tax assessments. My wife and
I own quite a few rental properties and rely on the income from these on which to live. The assessment increases from last
year were up to almost A00%, with an average increase of 66%. Our total property taxes last year were about $16,000.
I?ven last year the taxes were close [o double the previous year. If the same rates were used this year as last, our taxes will be
almost $26,000 [his year. We have tried to keep rents reasonable, but it is getting harder and harder.
We do not feel that the County should get a huge tax windfall just because the values of properties skyrocketed Island-wide
last year. The people ouly get the advantage of these increased values if they sell their properties. I believe that the
County should reduce the tax rates to oftset the assessed property value increases of people who do not sell their properties
during any given year. This would still allow an increase in County revenues from impact fees and property taxes of new
construction to provide services to the new houses/businesses. It would also allow renters to live in affordable housing since
landlords would not pass an increased tax burden onto them.
We currently pay the County more than our fair share! Please lower the tax rate to offset these latent value increases! Fecl
tree to call me at 328-1976 should you have any questions.
Mahalol Manley Phillips
Comm. No. 7 ~ 7•
Ref. To:P-~-M~~
Ref. Uate 1`i i
3/29/2006