Land's assessed valuation increase

[JerryCarr]

Well, here we are at the point where the speculative upsurge in real estate values hits ordinary folks. There is a differentiation in tax rates charged for owner occupied vs. non-owner occupied homes, as well as a homestead exemption, but I don't know about any such deal for land without houses. David D. did not say if he is resident in his Big Island home, or not. If he is, we are all in for a bad ride. Politically, the County Council has not yet been confronted with angry tax-payers. Honolulu is another story, however. There have been a number of stories about people there being confronted with confiscatory tax bills. So far, the relatively recently elected Mayor Hanneman has resisted the efforts of several council members to meaningfully roll back taxes, saying that Honolulu needs a "rainy day fund." He is far enough away from re-election to apparently think he can get away with it. It will be interesting to see what the guys in Hilo do when their constituents go ballistic. I have not yet received my bill, so have no personal story . . . yet.

Aloha to all,
Jerry