HomeMy WebLinkAboutRES 731 Draft 01 2016-2018
Resolution 731-18
Item not placed on agenda before introducer left office.
12/2/2018
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COUNTY OF HAWAII •� �'— �•- STATE OF HAWAII
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RESOLUTION NO. ',di XV
A RESOLUTION URGING THE HAWAII STATE LEGISLATURE TO PROVIDE THE
COUNTY OF HAWAII THE OPPORTUNITY TO INCREASE THE COUNTY'S
GENERAL EXCISE TAX SURCHARGE FROM ONE-QUARTER PERCENT TO ONE-
HALF PERCENT,AND ALLOW THOSE FUNDS TO BE APPLIED TO MORE THAN
PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION, INCLUDING THE ABILITY TO EXPEND A PORTION
ON PRIVATE ROAD UPGRADES AND MAINTENANCE.
WHEREAS, on June 29, 2018, the County of Hawai`i adopted a one-quarter percent
surcharge on the general excise tax to accrue to its highway fund starting on January 1, 2019,
with a repeal date of December 31, 2020, unless otherwise extended by ordinance; and
WHEREAS, without passage of new legislation by the State Legislature, the County is
prohibited from adopting the full one-half percent that was initially allowed by State Legislation;
and
WHEREAS, the County's highway fund can only be expended on the specific uses as
put forth in HRS Section 243-6 which limits how the GET surcharge, which will accrue to the
County's highway fund, may be spent; and
-_ WHEREAS, a major volcanic eruption that started May 3, 2018, has negatively
impacted roadways and public transportation in the Puna and Ka`u districts; and
WHEREAS, in August, 2018,Hawai`i County experienced severe flooding events from
Hurricane Lane, which resulted in extensive damage to roadways and bridges island wide,
especially on the east side of the island; and
WHEREAS, expanding the potential uses of the County's general excise surcharge to
allow a portion of the tax collections to be expended on other types of public projects, programs,
and activities, including proportional funding of private road improvements, is necessary; now,
therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE COUNTY OF HAWAII that it
urges the State Legislature to pass legislation to allow the County of Hawai`i a one-year
opportunity to adopt a general excise tax surcharge of one-half percent.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the State Legislature allow the County of Hawai`i
to expend at least a portion of the one-half general excise tax surcharge on public projects and
programs that do not strictly provide for public transportation matters, including proportional
funding of private road improvements.
BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED that the County Clerk shall transmit a copy of this
resolution to all Hawai`i State Senators and Representatives.
Dated at , Hawai`i, this day of , 20 .
INTRODUCED BY:
ejelideAr
COUNCIL MEMBER, COUNTY OF HAWAI`I
COUNTY COUNCIL ROLL CALL VOTE
County of Hawai`i AYES NOES ABS EX
Hilo, Hawai`i CHUNG
DAVID
I hereby certify that the foregoing RESOLUTION was by EOFF
the vote indicated to the right hereof adopted by the COUNCIL of the KANUHA
County of Hawai`i on
LEE LOY
O'HARA
ATTEST: POINDEXTER
RICHARDS
RUGGLES
Reference: C-1136/FC
COUNTY CLERK CHAIRPERSON&PRESIDING OFFICER RESOLUTION NO. 731 IS
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