Letters for Sunday — September 12, 2004

• Property tax

Property tax

I have been supporting the proposed Ohana Kauai Charter Amendment (O.K.C.A.) to roll back and freeze property taxes for resident homeowners of Kaua‘i.

Please allow me to share some thoughts & ask some questions on this subject as well as the County Task Force Proposal (TFP). This charter amendment will be something that can be relied upon to remain in effect. If passed, it cannot be altered or repealed by politicians but only by the voters of Kaua‘i.

Our elected and appointed county officials are doing a wonderful job of researching the problems of our property tax system and finding ways to solve many property tax issues, however, any tax reform being pursued at the County Council level can very easily be amended, altered repealed, or after much discussion completely abandoned. I would like to thank our elected officials for extending the Circuit Breaker for an additional year. Is this being considered for permanent installation? If not, Why not?

Many of the newest, largest, and most expensive (hotel sized) homes being built are vacation getaway second homes owned by wealthy individuals. These owners will not be receiving tax breaks under O.K.C.A. unless they transfer their primary residence to Kaua‘i. This may be unlikely however should these very wealthy individuals do so (transfer), then they would be required to pay State of Hawai‘i Income Taxes as well as support the local economy in other ways Either way, O.K.C.A. proves beneficial. Over the past few years Kaua‘i’s property tax revenues have increased tremendously. Whatever dollars have been taken in, ways have been found to spend, conversly, if there is a small percentage of temporary decline in revenue due to O.K.C.A., could it be possible for the County to temporarily manage with less?

John Wooten

Anahola