HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0923.018 2014-2016 P1FG
(5111 218
AUNTY CLERA Co wl wi ,923
, OF HAWAII
September 19, 2016
2016 SEP 19 ! I ' i2.
RE: Testimony Against Bills 218 and 219
September 20, 2016
Name:. Wesley Takai
Dear Members of the Hawaii County Council: : ... ..... ....;
This is my written testimony against Bills 218 and 219. Regretfully I cannot attend this
hearing as I am a member of the County's Tax Board of Review and we have a full
schedule of appeal hearings today and tomorrow. It is my belief that these bills should
be voted against and defeated today for the following reasons:
• The provisions of Section 19-57, nondedicated agricultural use assessment, and
Section 19-60, commercial agricultural use dedication, may not be perfect but
are functional and accepted by the agricultural community as written. . -
• It is unwise to continue to spend more time on these two bills that are unpopular
with the agricultural community who are directly affected by the proposed
changes.
• There are only two more months left in the current council members'terms. It
would be unfair to the upcoming council members to be handed these bills
should they be deferred or continued which may likely happen if it is not
defeated today, especially when the authors of both bills will no longer be in
office.
• It would be much wiser for the council to spend the next two months working on
and finalizing issues that are not so controversial and will positively benefit the
citizens of this county.
• If a member of the new council feels that the agricultural code should be
• amended, let that person write a new bill. At least the council will have much
more time to review the new proposal.
I had submitted other comments at the finance committee meeting on July 18, 2016
and to the agricultural workshop on September 8, 2016. Please refer to my testimonies
for both meetings before voting on the motions recommending passage of Bills 218 and
219 on first reading (as noted on today's agenda).
Sincerely,
Comm. No. q , 1�
7 Ref. To: V 1 C'
WESLEY TAKAI Ref. Date P 9 ft 200
Retired County Real Property Tax Administrator