HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0962.009 2018-2020 i
COUNTY CLERK11.g62
CO I®I
RECEIVED
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From: Ian Langevin Date-
Sent: Monday, June 01, 2020 6:52 PM
To: Richards, Tim
Cc: Eoff, Karen; Villegas, Rebecca; David, Maile; Kanealii-Kleinfelder, Matt; Kierkiewicz,
Ashley; Lee Loy, Sue; Chung, Aaron; Poindexter, Valerie; Council Testimony
Subject: Proposed Property Tax Rate Nike
Dear Mr. Richards, Members of the County Council,
While I understand that the current economic situation is creating conditions that require all of us to adjust our
budgets, I am writing to all of you request that you vote NO on the currently tabled proposal to establish a
higher base rate on newly created "Tier 2" level of property tax.
I have lived on Island, as a homeowner, since 1988. During these 30+years, we have all witnessed ebb and flow
in our economy, but we have also seen steady measured growth in the resort home industries, and in many
ways, direct, and indirectly, we have all benefited from the added revenue it has brought to our small county. As
you all are aware, we have an economy primarily limited to tourism, construction, agriculture and science. with
tourism down, it takes agriculture with it, so we are left with construction and related supply/ maintenance
businesses to help us through.
To our good fortune, we have been able to attract a fairly substantial number of families, who have the means to
afford property in high value neighborhoods. With each new high value home that is completed,the tax base
continues to grow. Compare the Real Property Tax base in FY2000 to what it is today, and then compare the
number of homes valued at over $2M from then to now.
Over the course of these past 20 years, it is hard to measure the impact these new neighbors have had on the
plethora of small businesses that have sprung up as a result of their investment in our Island,the resulting
revenue from these businesses, the quality jobs they create, and the dignity that comes as a result of the impact
on all the families they indirectly touch.
They are good neighbors. Most all of them have a very low impact on our county services, and have proven
very, very generous with their time and resources. They provide countless jobs to our local economy, directly,
and indirectly, and generously support our Fire & Police Departments, school programs, medical facilities, and
other community based initiatives, on top of what they pay in property tax.
These are the type of neighbors we should be encouraging to come here. Penalizing them with an increased rate
of tax on their property here on the island is more of a deterrent than an enticement.
Singling out this population in our community to pay more, (when they already pay A LOT more than most of
us who live here full time), is in some ways a slap in their face for the contributions they have already made to
both the county coffers, and the local economy.
During these challenging times, they are not like the tourists who come and go, (and for the foreseeable future,
not come),they are the people supporting the bulk of the construction and building maintenance industry during
this downturn, and when travel resumes,they WILL be back.
I implore each of you to very carefully consider the implications of your vote. We want to encourage these
types of neighbors to move to our Island, and, more importantly, we don't want them to leave. Should this sector
t Comm. No. ���•� _
Ref.To: P
Ref,Date JUN -3 2020
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of the markei4!e !'able ttse `'b' 'owners selling out as a result of being singled out, and penalized, it will not
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only negatively'AAk ,Me" net valuation that our property taxes are based on,the support industries will also
suffer. _..
If more revenue is desired, perhaps expediting the building permit process would help generate a broader, long
term tax base. These new neighbors of ours still want to come here and invest in our communities. We should
do all we can to welcome them.
Respectfully,
Ian Langevin
Waimea
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