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http://www.hawaiitribune-herald.com/news...-increases
"Of course, no one wants to raise taxes," Poindexter said. "But there was no other way to balance the budget."
...
The council took $225,000 from the estimated carryover balance of this year to restore the council contingency fund to $900,000, giving each council member $100,000 to spend on projects of their choosing.
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no other way???? tell that to families working on their budget, the answer is to stop spending...
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I asked Puna council member Eileen Ohara why she was supporting tax increases when there has been no mention of efforts toward efficiency or economizing in county government. Her response? "That's the mayor's job." Excuse me, but doesn't the council have ultimate control over finance by having to approve tax increases and the county budget? Our new rep and the other local politicians seem to still be fearful of doing anything which might upset the public employees unions. Apparently their raises and untouchable job security come before the needs of citizens struggling to get by. Working families in Puna will be especially hard hit by the proposed gasoline tax hike.
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The 'Contingency Fund' is nothing more than a private slush fund for Council Members to use without any hearings, votes or input from the community.
Why do we allow this blatant political 'pork' to continue?
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Why do we allow this blatant political 'pork' to continue?
There was no other way to pass the budget.
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the contingency fund seems like a fine idea to me. at least give the council members some funds to get something done. they were elected by a majority of the community, after all.
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It's the liberal way.
If you don't like it, when their terms are up, vote them out. Keep doing it.
Puna: Our roosters crow first
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"Property tax rate hikes passed by the Hawaii County Council late Monday pack a wallop for residential and apartment properties, while sparing homeowners and affordable rentals from increases.
Four other categories remained at Mayor Harry Kim’s proposed 6.5 percent increase, and one, agriculture, increased a scant 1.1 percent, reflecting a council priority of protecting farmland in addition to protecting homeowners and the most vulnerable."
What is the difference between residential and homeowner rate?
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What is the difference between residential and homeowner rate?
Homeowner means the owner is a full-time island resident.
Note also that "use classification for purposes of setting the tax rate" is separate from both "zoning" and "permits".
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the homeowners tax rate is very reasonable here
it's the liberal way after all
