HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0926.008 2018-2020 ill Im
COMM-is
TY CLERK
From: Leo Dodier-_■. COUNTY OF HAWAII
Sent: Tuesday, May 12, 2020 8:3S AM RECEIVED
To: Council Testimony Time a.55 as
Subject: Opposition to Bill 169
Date MAY 1 2 2020
Aloha from Leo Dodier,resident of Hawaii County and member of The Chamber of Commerce Kona-Kohala
Economic Development Committee,
RE:Bill 169 Amends Chapter 19 of the Hawaii County Code 1983 (2016 edition, as amended),Article 6,by adding a
new section to create two tiers for the residential class;
and Article 11, Section 19-90, by adding a new section authorizing Council to set tax rates for each tier,relating to real
property tax
Position: Oppose
Good Afternoon Council Chair Chung, Vice-Chair Eoff and esteemed members of the Finance Committee.
I am writing today to ask that you oppose Bill 169.There are numerous repercussions to which Council Members may
be unaware regarding Bill 169.
• Bill 169 institutionalizes discrimination against Hawaiian and Pacific Islanders with a two-tier residential
property tax system. The County would be using the property taxes to make areas of the County, less
affordable to whole categories of protected classes, including Hawaiian and Pacific Islanders, many which
combine households to afford larger and more expensive estates.
• Bill 169 could further expose the County to disparate impact claims under the federal Fair Housing Act should
tax foreclosures within the tiers impact Hawaiians,Pacific Islanders, or other races including Caucasians,
disproportionally. Under the Fair Housing act,it is not necessary to demonstrate an intent to discriminate, it is
only necessary to show the discriminatory effect.
• Bill 169 jeopardizes the continued receipt in over$15,000,000 in federal fitnding to the County for Section 8
Housing Choice Vouchers,Community Development Block Grants and HOME Funds, The County must
certify annually compliance with the Fair Housing Act as well as demonstrate taking steps to remove barriers
to affordable housing. In effect,Bill 169 creates a new barrier to affordable housing by removing market
forces and establishing a"Luxury"class of residential property.
• Any revenue increase created by Bill 169 will be offset by a reduction in construction and remodeling in the
county as those effected seek to avoid tax liability of newly constructed homes and also remodeling should
their homes appreciate,harming untold contractors and constriction workers resulting in less revenue for our
County.
• Bill 169 will have a larger impact on local residents who are the majority owners of 2nd homes in this price
range,not off-shore billionaires as some may perceive,harming local residents.
Finally,Bill 169 violates our civil rights and should be vehemently opposed.
Aloha,
Leo Dodier,Broker Associate
Elite Pacific Properties
(808)-308-8884
LeoDodier@,gmail.cam (�
Comm. No.�—-'-�t�.�
1Ref.To: P t 171 6! —�
Ref. ate MAY 13 2020
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