HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0722.043 2016-2018Murashige, Laura
From: nancy recifeather <nredfeather@kohalacenter.org>
Sent: Monday, February 05, 2018 8:49 AM
To: Council Testimony
Cc: Nancy Redfeather
Subject: Testimony on Bill 102 - Hearing Tuesday February 6, 2018 at 10:00 a.m. Hilo
Attachments: Testimony for Bill 102.docx
Aloha County Testimony,
I am not sure whether I will be able to Testify in person tomorrow, so I have decided to enter my statements into public
record. However if I can come to the WHCC in Kona I will. Please accept my written Testimony on Bill 102 that would
crate an additional 1/2 % Surcharge on the General Excise Tax in Hawai'i County:
Mahalo and Aloha,
Nancy Redfeather
1
Comm. No.
7�g3
Rev To:
Raf. Dmse'- 66 ��
Testimony for Bill 102
V2 cent Surcharge on the General Excise Tax
February 6, 2018
Nancy Redfeather
P.O. Box 906 -
Kealakekua, Hawai'i - 96750
nancyredfeatherghawaii.rr. com
808-322-2801
Aloha Council Chair and Members of the County Council,
Mahalo for the opportunity to comment on Bill 102 that would add a V2 cent
Surcharge on the General Excise Tax.
I am in favor of such a Tax, as it is rare that the Hawai'i State Legislature
gives the Counties "permission" to raise additional revenues.
I also have comments that frame my decision.
1. I recently read the new ALICE Report written by Hawai'i Community
Foundation, Aloha United Way, Bank of Hawai'i, and Kamehameha
Schools that looks at the State's Financial Hardship County by
County. Basically, 55% of Hawai'i County residents can no longer
afford to live here. The increase in Excise Tax while small could free
up other funds in the County Budget for needed social programs, and
to repave the road in Kainaliu Town. That road is our most important
road around the Island.
2. The cost of County employees and their benefits continues to rise,
(some benefits I realize are mandated by the State & Unions) more
and more of the County budget is used solely for employees. Do
County Staff Work Plans and Programs coincide with the Counties
present and future needs, or do they represent past programs, that are
in need of revision? Internal Department Audits, could inform the
Mayor and Council and some reorganization could take place, freeing
up Staff and funds for current needs of the County.
3. Honolulu continues to gather funding and priorities into its center as it
has always done. Counties are unable to "Incorporate" contrary to
most cities on the continent. And so our ability to raise funds and
become more autonomous is continually hampered.
As our ability to raise additional funds for needed programs is
constantly challenged, it eventually produces a feeling of hopelessness
and seems to restrict our ability to look outside the box for additional
needed funding.
I think we should take advantage of this opportunity and at the same
time reevaluate where our money goes, making sure that we are not
continuing to fund old programs and old positions that are no longer
needed, and that we challenge the ability for Counties to Incorporate.
However if this increase is NOT coupled with an audit of programs
and staff, and challenging Honolulu for more autonomy, etc. It will
be an increase that will represent short term thinking, when we are
being asked by history to think long term, and consider the health and
general welfare of all the peoples of Hawai' i County.
Mahalo for this opportunity to speak,
Aloha,
Nancy Redfeather
Kawanui, Hawai' i