HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0817.047 2008-2010From: Jan Suter [suterhale @gmail.com]
Sent: Monday, May 31, 2010 6:13 PM
To: CouncilTestimony @co.hawaii.hi.us
Subject: Possible increase in County property taxes
Murashige, Laura
Come on guys!
Janet S„Su ,.
75 -5320 La Aulu Rd
Holualoa, HI 96725
(808) 327 -9864
6/1/2010
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I am a Holualoa resident. Over the years I have saved and worked hard, long hours to become self -
sufficient in my retirement. My frugality has paid off. By living within my means and saving, I am now
retired in a home I love on ag land.
I also have been (and will be again) an investor in real property here in this County, and am a former
licensed Property Manager in Kona. As such, I know how difficult it is for many people to break even
on their investment properties, even in the good times. While some investors on this island have the
excess funds to carry a negative on their investment, many are just middle class people who are trying to
hold on for the long term and /or for their dream retirement. Believe me when I say this proposed
increase on property tax rates will be the last straw for many of these people.
Over and over people are saying "the increase will be passed on to tenants (who cannot afford it either),
but my years of management can assure you that with the already high vacancy rate in Kona, increased
rents are going to mean more empty investment properties as financially strapped tenants double up to
be able to afford a place to live. Rents are down, not up. Tenants are looking to save as much as
possible, not spend more. And so it goes, round and round - do you get the idea?
It's time the County learns how to behave like a private entity that must cut within it's own ranks in order
to survive the bad times. We don't need a zoo, bands, subsidized golf - nor do we need a government
that has too many employees in relation to the public it is supposed to serve.
Cope
Ref. To:
Ref. Date. J jU_ N Q 7! 2010