it's the "assessed value game" time already

[kalakoa]

http://www.hawaiitribune-herald.com/news...budget-gap

Even without a property tax increase, rising property values could bring in more revenue because property owners pay more based on the rising values of their property. It will be another couple of weeks before county officials have a good grasp of property values.

Translation: they haven't worked out what property "valuation" results in an extra $12M to cover the budget shortfall.

Meanwhile, that $100M bond is already spent.

This one is also funny:

It costs the county $13 for each fixed-route rider each way, while riders pay $1 to $2, depending on their age, disability and whether they buy tickets in bulk. While eliminating the fare would have an only moderate impact on county finances, it could make a big difference for Puna commuters who spend $400 to $500 annually in gas to get to their jobs at Kohala resorts

Too bad there's no way to create some kind of "affordable" housing outside of Puna.

[punaticbychoice]

This is, without a doubt, the strangest place I've ever lived.
As I've said before, it's Kafkaesque here.

[alaskyn66]

If they are looking for ways to save money ... start with their own office.a lot of county jobs could be contracted out Instead of paying employees vacation.. sick pay... overtime..pensions..holiday pay... or paying them if they are somehow disabled and not working but still getting paid.

Sorry.... My spellcheck is mildly retarded .. Intellectually challenged.

[kalakoa]

county jobs could be contracted out

Like mailing your property taxes to Washington, because they obviously need the jobs there, what with all the tech industry layoffs.

Bonus round: how much does it cost to assess, bill, and collect the property tax? If it's more than $25, County loses money on resident homeowners whose properties are fully exempted.

[randomq]

quote:

---

Originally posted by alaskyn66

If they are looking for ways to save money ...

---

They'll do a 2 million dollar study on it and get right back to you!

[Durian Fiend]

Changing the bus fare from cheap to free still wouldn't get many more people out of their cars. $400 to $500 annually on gas isn't much for someone with a Kohala job.

[Durian Fiend]

quote:

---

Originally posted by kalakoa

Bonus round: how much does it cost to assess, bill, and collect the property tax? If it's more than $25, County loses money on resident homeowners whose properties are fully exempted.

---

One of the reasons why no one should be fully exempted, IMO.

[kalakoa]

One of the reasons why no one should be fully exempted

Again: I would be willing to pay more if it resulted in actual services being provided.

For what value I actually receive from County, $25 seems fair.