10-31-2009, 05:18 AM
It would have been even more enlightening to see comparisons for commercial, agricultural, and resort/hotel categories posted along with residential. From what is shown, one might reasonably conclude that we on Hawaii Island have the highest residential rates. A possible reason might be our lower overall property values. (I'm not making excuses for the politicians, County administrators, and financial waste that they tolerate, mind you.) With lower values, higher rates are required to produce the same amount of revenue. It's like they're telling us, "Your poorer than the others, so we have to tax you more as a percentage of your assets to provide basic services."
Of course if you live in Puna and/or one of the "substandard" subdivisions, it's questionable if you even get basic services. Don't start me on that today. Having just recently heard a speech from the County Planning Director suggesting that we in HPP establish a "Special Use Tax District" to pay for services that we are taxed for, but don't get from the County, I'm just in the mood . . .
Having said all that, property taxes here are among the lowest you will find anywhere in the USA, and I am grateful for at least that much.
Of course if you live in Puna and/or one of the "substandard" subdivisions, it's questionable if you even get basic services. Don't start me on that today. Having just recently heard a speech from the County Planning Director suggesting that we in HPP establish a "Special Use Tax District" to pay for services that we are taxed for, but don't get from the County, I'm just in the mood . . .
Having said all that, property taxes here are among the lowest you will find anywhere in the USA, and I am grateful for at least that much.