HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0177.177 1998-2000 R EC i''~%~:'
Hawaii County Council June 3, 1999
Hawaii County Building 99 JUN 7 Pfd 3 28
25 Aupuni Street COI,INT'i C'_EFK
Hilo, Hawaii 96720 COUNTI' OF HAWAII
Deaz Council members:
My wife and I attended the May 27 meeting at the Kona Surf hotel. We appreciate your efforts
in behalf of that meeting, and feel it was very well organized and conducted.
First to the tax issue. We are opposed to an increase in the homeowners tax rate or
exemptions. The only exception is for the minimum tax, which we feel should be raised from
$25 to at least $100 (an increase of $6.25 per month). It is hard for us to see how this can
impose `an economic struggle' for anyone.
I readily admit being naive about politics. Srill, I think you may be interested in my
assessment of the County financial `crisis'.
1) The great majority of those who speak out in west Hawaii aze against tax increases (except
the minimum tax) and instead, are in favor of cutting costs.
2) The overwhelming majority of constituents in east Hawaii (I don't know about Kohala, so
assume it averages as neutral) is not against tax increases and wants no cuts in services.
3) Thus the dilemma. And at this time the majority of Council members aze listening hazdest
to east-Hawaii constituents.
4) Part of the reasoning for 3) is that some, if not all, Council members are simply afraid to
really go into the cost-cutting matter. And that is, I sincerely believe, what has to be done for
the benefit of all Hawaii County residents in the long run. And these cost-cutting efforts and
measures must start now. West Hawaii residents (where many others feel the `money' is) can
only be pushed so faz in `carrying' other lazge segments of the County. If and when that bubble
bursts, the rest of the County will be in dire straights.
Curtis Tyler has been attributed with the suggestion of cutting all Department's budgets by
10% and letting Department heads decide what to discontinue. This sounds OK, maybe. If
salaries accounted for 90% of the budget, a 10% cut would leave no money for operating costs.
So positions would Gave to be cut in order to free up money to operate. Is it possible for that to
happen in Hawaii County? I personally can think of services that could be cut without seriously
hurting anyone. Is the Council willing to try to educate and convince constituents that it's in
their best long-term interest for some services, (and thus probably positions) to be cut.
I don't expect a response or reply to this letter, but I would appreciate your considering it with
an open mind. And maybe even acting on it in some positive manner, for the good of us all!
Mahalo and Aloha,
Gordon Monroe
Comm. Na / ~ 7. ~ 7
Gordon E. Monroe FSIe No. B V D
77-6439 Pualani Street Ref. Ta: Presenfe~f c ou? c ~ ~
Kailas-Kona, Hawaii 96740
Ref, llate JUN 81939