Editor’s note: Old-timers might still remember the introduction from The Shadow radio program: “Who knows what evil lurks in the hearts of men? The Shadow knows!” Jerome Freitas, a retired state Department of Transportation worker who is now better known
Editor’s note: Old-timers might still remember the introduction from The Shadow radio program: “Who knows what evil lurks in the hearts of men? The Shadow knows!” Jerome Freitas, a retired state Department of Transportation worker who is now better known as Da Shadow, since 2004 has been meeting with government representatives about problems he has discovered or that have been reported to him, and reporting the county’s responses.
Real Property Tax
Da Shadow: (Nov. 16) How is a property appraised? How may appraisers does the county have on staff?
County: (Dec. 5) Real Property is appraised using sales prices paid by buyers on “like” properties, where a market analysis of comparable “arms length” transactions between a willing buyer and a willing seller, with no distress upon either, is completed. The sale properties are grouped with comparable properties in characteristics and location, then multiple mathematical calculations are done, adjusting for differences from subject property to sale property characteristics, such as: square foot living area, land size, bedrooms, baths, location, time of sale, quality of construction. All of this is used to arrive at a final total market value, annually, under Chapter 5A of the Kaua‘i County Code. There are currently five residential appraisers, one condominium specialist and one commercial appraiser on staff — all experienced in real estate appraisal.
Cost Control Commission
Da Shadow: (Nov. 16) What is the role of the Cost Control Commission?
County: (Dec. 5) According to the Cost Control Commission’s 2012 annual report, the CCC is charged with the responsibility to review and scrutinize personnel costs, real property taxes, travel budgets, and contract procedures with the intent of eliminating, consolidating or reducing overlapping or duplicate county services and programs. The commission is empowered to secure, trough the Office of the Mayor or the chairman of the council, any reports or information from their respective departments or employees that are appropriate to accomplish its work.
Old Lihu‘e Big Save space
Da Shadow: (Nov. 16) What are the current plans for the old Lihu‘e Big Save space?
County: (Dec. 5) The County plans to utilize the majority of this space for additional offices, meeting rooms and storage facilities to support the administrative functions of County government.
Act 55
Da Shadow: (Nov. 16) Why not support a repeal of Act 55?
County: (Dec. 5) The mayor feels there is some value in the stated intent of Act 55 — to raise additional revenues for the state by utilizing land for the development of facilities that benefit the public — and would like to be part of a collaborative effort to amend the act to address the very valid concerns community members have raised. First among those concerns is the concept of “home rule.” The mayor wants to insure that nothing will happen on lands located on Kaua‘i without the informed consent of the people of Kaua‘i. If this collaboration fails to produce an amended act that addresses these concerns, then the mayor would support a repeal.
• Jerome Freitas can be reached at theshadow96751@gmail.com or 635-3528. Visit his website at http://theshadow96746.tripod.com.