HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0091.026 2016-2018 Cou&cit.
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C,Oit4M 91
Murashige, Laura b-ILLImo
I
From: Janice Palma-Glennie <palmtree7@earthlink.net> -r•;-
Sent: Monday, May 15, 2017 9:55 AM --�
To: Council Testimony
Subject: Property tax increases -11
Aloha council members,
I'm writing regarding plans to raise property taxes to overcome county shortfalls.
• Paying less than $100 per year for property tax makes little sense since processing the paperwork must cost the
county half of that. But doubling the rate of someone paying$100 to$200/year doesn't seem fair. We understood
that the rate increase would be 6.5%across the board.
• For low and lower middle income people, it's extreme to raise the rate 6.5% in one swoop.And raising it by that much
could be a precursor to yet more increases—this already being the third in only 7 years.
• Some people feel they're getting good value for their property tax dollar compared to places on the Mainland.
However, in places with high taxes like where my family lives,services are far greater including trash pick up,sewer,
excellent schools,etc.etc..
• It's good to get as much tax revenue as possible from the very upper echelon of home owners(particularly in places
like Kukio, Mauria Lani, etc)where an increase could be the equivalent of dinner out for a well-to-do family of four or
less than roundtrip tickets from one of their other homes to their Hawai'l home.
• it's correct to have exemptions for age, income,and value of property. However,just because someone is older,
doesn't mean they should pay less tax.They may have a far higher total of available funds and assets than younger
people,especially those with children or eldercare responsibilities.
• Maintaining affordable tax rates may be the most important factor for lower and lower-middle income people to
hang on to homes they already own.
• Kona residents often pay more and sometimes earn the same or less than their East Hawai'l counterparts,yet they
may be penalized by appraised values of their homes even though they have no intention to sell now or far into the
future.
• Depending upon raising property taxes to pay for county obligations is a bad road to go down.There are other, more
fair ways to increase necessary funding(i.e., increasing^TAT, having private jet owners who land at island airports pay
$5000 or higher for that privilege—suggested by former councilman Kelly Greenwell,etc).
Mahalo and sincerely,
Janice and Alastair Glennie
Kailua-Kona
e011117/ No. Y
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