HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOMM. 199 Kramer, NJ - Land FundLAND FUND
Please register my support for the crucial points following:
˚ Reinstate the 2% amount. 63% of voters approved this in 2006.
The commissioners do NOT think we will vote for this again.
PLEASE reassure them. Ask them to PUT THE 2% LAND FUND ON
THE BALLOT and let the VOTERS DECIDE!
˚ We need the 2% amount or $4 million per year not the ½% or $1
million that is currently being proposed. The $11 million in the fund
is depleted with the exciting purchase of 151 acres at Kaiholena in
North Kohala for $6.7 million and the soon to be purchased 2nd
portion of Kawa Bay for $3.9 million.
˚ It needs to be stated that the highest and best use of the Land
Fund is to seek dollar-for -dollar matching funds to double the
money in the fund to maximize land conservation.
˚ It needs to be stated that the land fund should be an interest
bearing account. AND that deposits should be made after property
taxes are collected twice per year so more funds are available and
interest can accrue. So far we have added $403,551.00 in interest
since late 2006 to January 2010.
˚ It needs to be stated that the Land fund be used for acquisition
and NOT for maintenance OR development of parks. IN the 2007-
08 Hawaii county report it states that $7.1 million in the budget is
to be used for park maintenance.
˚ It needs to be clarified that IF the 2% tax set aside is used to pay
the debt on an Open Space Bond, that the bond should not be part
of an aggregate bond issue, so that citizens can watchdog how the
fund is used to pay fees, commissions and other bond expenses.
Nancy
Nancy Jean Kramer, CPA
Pahoa Marketplace
(808) 965-2729
PMB 8540
15-2662 Pahoa Village Rd #306
Pahoa, HI 96778