HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0193.049 2008-2010
Bob and Julie Jacobson
PO Box 900, Kurtistown, Hawafi, 96760 808-966-8831, jacobs a,hai~ nis. ~m
2009 APR P~1 8 46
March 16, 2009
To: Chairman Dominic Yagong and Members of the Hawaii County C~n iicltNCoi-Wittge_tq&kinance
Topic: Please vote against Bill 49. Don't de-fund open space.
Aloha Chair and Members
Please vote against Bill 49. Don't de-fund open space. We need to continue this important program. Delaying
acquisition of properties identified by the Open Space Commission will mean losing the opportunity to protect
these special jewels for the people of Hawaii. Because of lower current land values we should be acquiring
these properties now rather than losing opportunities or paying more later.
We can meet our financial responsibilities and continue to fund this program. Mayor Kenoi's administration
knows that we have uncollected revenues and we fail to tax many properties equitably. Current administrators
know that many Resort, Commercial and Industrial zoned properties have been grossly undervalued in their
appraised values for decades. Some hotel properties have been under appraised by as much as $100 million for
many years. Special interests have gotten a free ride on inaccurately appraised values, while current
administrators have made sure that average homeowners pay their full share. Appraised values on most owner
occupied residential properties have been current and accurate.
We sponsored budget proposals to correct inaccurate and unrealistically low appraisals on resort, commercial
and industrial properties for the last several budget cycles. We worked for the last six years to adopt fair tax
policies for Hawaii residents. But past and current administrators have consistently opposed an improved and
comprehensive review of all appraised values. It should be no surprise that our tax coffers are low. Justice has
been denied to residents because the special interests that own most of the resort, commercial and industrial
zoned properties on this island have avoided paying their equitable share of taxes. Because some owners don't
pay their fair share„ Hawaii County has not been able to fund parks, public works, environmental management
and other public projects when they are needed. Now that our revenues are down these special interests want to
continue to escape their responsibilities by taking funds from the Open Space Program originally enacted by
public vote. If you look at the list of who is favoring this theft of open space funds it will become obvious that
it is made up of the, people that aren't paying their fair share of property taxes and includes those that opposed
open space funding in the first place. Mayor Kenoi and some of his special interest campaign contributors have
expressed opposition to open space funding many times.
In conclusion funding for the Open Space Program is the will of the residents and is fiscally responsible. Please
exercise your policy responsibilities and protect this program by defeating Bill 49.
Sincerely,
Former Hawaii County Council Members Bob and Julie Jacobson
Comm. No. I q 3. 9
Ref. To: p [fesento G
Ref. Date "X 0 7 2003