HomeMy WebLinkAboutREP FC 261 05/18/2004 2002-2004REPORT OF THE
COMMITTEE ON FINANCE
DATE: May 18. 2004 Re: Comm. No. 620/Bill No. 270
PLACE: Council Chambers
TIME: 10:45 a.m.
Council Chair and Members
Hawaii County Council
Hilo. Hawaii 96720
Your Committee on Finance, to which was referred Bill No. 270, reports as follows:
Bill No. 270, transmitted by Council Member Gary Safarik, via Communication No. 620, dated
May 6, 2004, initiates a Charter amendment to the Hawaii County Charter (2000), relating to
Public Access, Open Space, Natural Resources Preservation Fund.
Bill No. 270 proposes to set aside an established amount of real property tax revenues to be
utilized for purchasing or otherwise acquiring lands or property entitlements for land
conservation; public outdoor recreation and education, including access to beaches and
mountains, preservation of historical or culturally important land area and sites; protection of
significant habitats or ecosystems, including buffer zones; preserving forests, beaches, coastal
areas, and agricultural lands; protecting watershed lands to preserve water quality and water
supply; conserving land in order to reduce erosion floods, landslides, and runoff; improving
disabled and public access to, and enjoyment of public lands and open space; acquiring disabled
and public access to public land and open space.
Pursuant to Article XV, Section 15-1 (a) of the Hawaii County Charter, amendments or
revisions of the charter may be initiated by ordinance of the council adopted after three readings
on separate days and passed by the affirmative vote of two-thirds of the entire membership.
Upon adoption of the ordinance, the council shall provide that the proposed amendments or
revisions be submitted to the electors of the county for approval at the next general election.
At today's meeting, seventeen people testified in favor of this measure and several written
testimonies in favor of the measure were submitted.
At the meeting Council Member Gary Safarik submitted Bill No. 270, Draft 2, which proposed
amendments that would provide a range of real property tax revenues from ''/z% to 1 % rather than
the I % figure. Draft 2 also included a provision that would allow a reduction in the annual
appropriation below''/z%, in case an operating deficit is reported during the fiscal year pursuant
to section 10-9 of the Hawaii County Charter.
FC' REPORT NO. 261
During its discussion of Bill No. 270, Draft 2, an amendment was made to increase the
maximum percent to two percent (2%) of the certified real property tax revenues and also to add
another purpose (9) "Precervalion of iradilional recreationcd activities, ittcludin~ hunlinR nnc!
ji.ehing "
Some members of Your Committee were concerned over creating a Fund with real property tax
proceeds. Another concern was that funds would be spent to buy land leaving less for other
needs like repairing roads. Nevertheless, the concept of setting aside monies for the intended
purpose is a good one.
Your Committee on Finance is in accord with the purpose and intent of Bill No. 270, Draft 2, as
amended to Draft 3. and recommends it pass first reading.
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('HUNG X
SA FARIIi X
ARAKAKI X
ELARIONOFF' X
HOLSCHUH X
.IACOBSON X
RF.VNOLDS X
TULANC X
TYI,F.R X
Respectfully submitted
~v1C-QOM EE ON FINANCE
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AARON SY CHU G, CHAIR
EC REPORT NO.
ADOPTED:
OFFICE INFORMATION ONLY
Meeting: June 2, 2004 - Council Meeting (37th Session)
Action: Amended Bill 270, Draft 3, with Draft 4 & then was filed, due to lack
of 2/3 vote.
FC Report 261 transmitted Bill 270, Draft 3, with a recommendation to
"approve" the bill.
Re: C-620.39/BILL 270, DRAFT 3/FCC-261