Kenoi supports GET increase

[kalakoa]

The county has two ways to fund new roads.

Correct: FTR is obviously being diverted to some other purpose.

[Aaron S]

quote:

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Originally posted by kalakoa

The county has two ways to fund new roads.

Correct: FTR is obviously being diverted to some other purpose.

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FTR is being used to maintain existing county/state roads, not construct new roads.

[kalakoa]

FTR is being used to maintain existing county/state roads

Yes and no -- perhaps more accurate to state that FTR may be used for maintenance at County whim. An audit would be helpful, here.

[doesanyonecare]

Please poll your half dozen employees and get their opinions on this regressive tax.

quote:

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Originally posted by HiloPuna

doesanyonecare


BTW;
I'm a small businessman with a 1/2 dozen employees here on this island and I support the increase in GET. Just for the record.

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[kalakoa]

the 8.9% debt service amounts to app. $43mm/annum for both principal and interest

Meanwhile, the full authorized amount of the bonds has yet to be disbursed.

Nor am I seeing any substantive projects from this funding -- perhaps I should drive over to the west side and double-check.

[Aaron S]

quote:

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Originally posted by kalakoa

the 8.9% debt service amounts to app. $43mm/annum for both principal and interest

Meanwhile, the full authorized amount of the bonds has yet to be disbursed.

Nor am I seeing any substantive projects from this funding -- perhaps I should drive over to the west side and double-check.

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The 8.9% bond debt figure would've been higher if the county didn't refinance their outstanding bonds recently. This figure would've jumped to 13.8% of the county budget if the county stood pat.

http://westhawaiitoday.com/news/local-ne...-bond-bill

Yes, the county does have some available bonding capacity, but it wouldn't be prudent the continually float bonds whenever a new road needs to be built. In short, nobody likes traffic congestion, but most people are unwilling to pay the cost of improving our transportation infrastructure.

[kalakoa]

nobody likes traffic congestion, but most people are unwilling to pay the cost of improving our transportation infrastructure

County "could" upzone some parcels to create the Neighborhood Commercial zones as suggested in the PCDP -- public would only have to pay for staff time, developers would foot the bill for infrastructure.

Of course this fails, reason most often given: nobody wants the congestion that a corner store would bring... oh, the irony.

[Mimosa]

When Billy ran for Mayor the 1st time - one of his gripes was the deplorable condition of all down town Hilo roads .
Now some 8 years later and almost at end of second term ,only certain roads have been resurfaced and the rest are in deplorable condition,except for the roads he drives on daily - to and from his homes .

Mrs . Mimosa