HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0810.002 2008-2010William P. Kenoi
Mayor
May 5, 2010
J Yoshimoto, Council Chair and
Members of the Hawai'i County Council
Hawaii County Council
25 Aupuni Street
Hilo, Hawai'i 96720
County of Hawaii
Finance Department
25 Aupuni Street, Su,te 2103 • Hilo, Hawaii 96720
(808)961 -8234 • Fax(808)961 -8248
Nancy E. Crawford
Director
Deanna S. Sako
Deputy Drector
Re: Resolutions 335 -10, 336 -10 and 337 -10
Proposing Alternative Language for Charter Proposal CA -15
Public Access, Open Space, and Natural Resources Preservation Fund
The referenced resolutions offer several changes to the Charter Commission's proposed
language. The following comments address some of the different aspects of each
resolution.
Resolutions 335 -10 and 337 -10 both increase the minimum contribution to the Public
Access, Open Space, and Natural Resources Preservation Fund from 1% to 2% of real
property taxes. The Charter represents a minimum amount of contribution, and as such,
should not be a burdensome amount. The County Code includes a higher amount that is
only changed by Council action. For comparison, Honolulu's charter has a' /2%
contribution to open space. Kaua'i's charter also requires a %% contribution of property
tax revenue and Maui's charter includes a 1% contribution.
Resolution 335 -10 also requires that land purchased through the Public Access, Open
Space, and Natural Resources Preservation Fund be held in perpetuity and not be sold
traded or transferred. Certain open space purchases have been made in cooperation with
State or Federal agencies and in some cases it makes the most sense for them to
ultimately be the custodian of the land. It seems this language would prevent such
cooperative purchases or transfers to other government agencies even if they are best
suited to manage the land.
Resolution 337 -10 includes language in sub - section (b) that would "prevent any erosion of
the fund's principal amount." The language is confusing, in that it could be construed to
mean that only interest earnings can be spent on purchases, so that the principal is not
eroded.
Comm. No. rS/
Ref. To:
Hawaii County is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer Ref, Dote MAYS
Council - Charter Amendment CA -15
May 5 2010
Page 2 of 2
The administration supports Resolution 336 -10, which maintains the Charter
Commission's proposed real property tax revenue contribution level and provides that 10%
of the annual deposits be designated for maintenance and management of the lands
purchased by the fund. Acquisition of open space property involves assuming a
responsibility for the care of that land, even if it is not to be used for recreation or to protect
culturally important sites. Continued acquisition of land with no designated source of
revenue for maintenance will require that funds be re- directed from parks and recreation
activities or other County operations to meet land management requirements.
Thank you for this opportunity to comment on the referenced resolutions.
r;
Nancy Crawford
Director of Finance