HomeMy WebLinkAboutComm No 0003.01.20 - Testimony - Ad Hoc - PONC fund and Maintenance fundtestimony for Hawaii County Charter Commission, 1:30 PM Friday, November 9, 2018, Kona County Council chambers
from Cory Harden, Hilo 333corygmail.com
Thank you for your volunteer service.
Please keep the land fund strong. We need to beat developers to the draw. They had their way with the other islands, and
now they're coming here.
1 – Keep the rate at 2%.
Almost two-thirds of voters supported the rate of 2% of property taxes—three times.
Land is costly, and getting costlier....especially large acreages of beautiful, unique, and significant places.
Currently not all of the fund is used. But the problem is not too much money. It's too little staff, to supply the time, energy,
and expertise to line up matching funds, do required surveys and studies, and negotiate with sellers. See #4.
2 – Consider a cap of $20 million, but only if staff support is increased. Or have no cap.
There are still numerous places in need of protection,
3 – Keep the covenant that requires 2% lands to be kept in perpetuity.
Permanent protection was the intent of the many voters who supported the land fund.
If lands can change hands, few entities will offer matching funds, and fewer community people will work to save and
maintain land, for fear it will end up in the wrong hands,
Problems with managing and maintaining lands can be handled by hiring staff. See #4.
Problems such as doing flood control and improving access can be handled by memorandums of understanding (MOUs).
4 – Hire staff under the Finance Department and paid with Public Access, Open Space, and Natural Resources (PONC)
funds. Their duties should involve only existing and future PONC lands: acquiring land, finding matching funds,
maintaining lands with Maintenance Fund money, obtaining and supervising maintenance contracts, and supporting the
PONC Commission.
5 – Expand uses of the Maintenance Fund to toilet facilties; small buildings for education and storage of equipment;
roads, trails, and paths; waterlines; drinking fountains; Americans with Disabilities Act compliance; and maintenance
contracts with grantees.
Please ensure we can save our land before it's too late.
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Comm. No. 3.1.20