HomeMy WebLinkAboutREP FC 139 02/02/2010 2008-2010DATE: February 2, 2010
PLACE: Councilroom
TIME: 9:12 a.m.
Council Chair and Members
Hawai`i County Council
Hilo, Hawaii 96720
REPORT OF THE
COMMITTEE ON FINANCE
Re: Comm. No. 684/Bill No. 200
Your Committee on Finance, to which was referred Bill No. 200, reports as follows:
Bill No. 200, transmitted by Finance Director Nancy Crawford via Communication No. 684,
dated January 21, 2010, amends Chapter 19, Article 12, Sections 19 -100 and 19 -101, of the
Hawai`i County Code 1983 (2005 Edition, as amended), by increasing the deposit amount and
limiting the refunds of those deposits which accompany appeals to the Real Property Tax Board
of Review.
This bill proposes to increase the deposit amount from $15 to $25 and to limit refunds of that
amount to situations where the Board of Review accepts the taxpayer's appeal value without
compromise. Refunds will also be made in cases where adjustments are necessary due to clerical
errors. The additional amount will better offset the cost of handling appeals and it should also
reduce the number of frivolous appeals.
Finance Director Nancy Crawford said the current $15 fee does not cover the costs associated
with the processing of appeals. Real Property Tax Administrator Stan Sitko further clarified a
$25 fee should cover most of the direct costs, including the average $11.50 for certified mailing
and the $22,500 budgeted for Board activities, but not the salaries and clerical costs of
preparation.
Council Member Ford said it does not seem fair that the applicant is not refunded at least a
portion of the fee if the appeal is compromised. She stated her intention to draft an amendment
to Bill 200 reflecting this.
Council Member Hoffmann said he will bring forward an amendment changing the fee to $50 as
recommended by the Real Property Tax Board of Review.
Your Committee on Finance is in accordance with the purpose and intent of Bill No. 200 and
recommends it pass first reading.
kk
Respectfully submitted,
COMMITTEE ON FINANCE
DENNIS "FRESH ' ONISHI, CHAIR
FC REPORT NO. 139
ADOPTED: FEB 1 A ?G1C
AYES
NOES
A &E
EX
ENRIQUES
X
FORD
X
GREENWELL
X
HOFFMANN
X
IKEDA
X
NAEOLE
X
ONISHI
X
YAGONG
X
YOSHIMOTO
X
DATE: February 2, 2010
PLACE: Councilroom
TIME: 9:12 a.m.
Council Chair and Members
Hawai`i County Council
Hilo, Hawaii 96720
REPORT OF THE
COMMITTEE ON FINANCE
Re: Comm. No. 684/Bill No. 200
Your Committee on Finance, to which was referred Bill No. 200, reports as follows:
Bill No. 200, transmitted by Finance Director Nancy Crawford via Communication No. 684,
dated January 21, 2010, amends Chapter 19, Article 12, Sections 19 -100 and 19 -101, of the
Hawai`i County Code 1983 (2005 Edition, as amended), by increasing the deposit amount and
limiting the refunds of those deposits which accompany appeals to the Real Property Tax Board
of Review.
This bill proposes to increase the deposit amount from $15 to $25 and to limit refunds of that
amount to situations where the Board of Review accepts the taxpayer's appeal value without
compromise. Refunds will also be made in cases where adjustments are necessary due to clerical
errors. The additional amount will better offset the cost of handling appeals and it should also
reduce the number of frivolous appeals.
Finance Director Nancy Crawford said the current $15 fee does not cover the costs associated
with the processing of appeals. Real Property Tax Administrator Stan Sitko further clarified a
$25 fee should cover most of the direct costs, including the average $11.50 for certified mailing
and the $22,500 budgeted for Board activities, but not the salaries and clerical costs of
preparation.
Council Member Ford said it does not seem fair that the applicant is not refunded at least a
portion of the fee if the appeal is compromised. She stated her intention to draft an amendment
to Bill 200 reflecting this.
Council Member Hoffmann said he will bring forward an amendment changing the fee to $50 as
recommended by the Real Property Tax Board of Review.
Your Committee on Finance is in accordance with the purpose and intent of Bill No. 200 and
recommends it pass first reading.
kk
Respectfully submitted,
COMMITTEE ON FINANCE
DENNIS "FRESH ' ONISHI, CHAIR
FC REPORT NO. 139
ADOPTED: FEB 1 A ?G1C