GET increase "lite"

[kalakoa]

(Yes, there are other threads, but it's on the agenda for tomorrow 18 June 2018 -- in Kona...)

http://www.westhawaiitoday.com/2018/06/1...-increase/

About 30 percent to 40 percent of the GET is paid by tourists, they say

Curious: after shutting down the "illegal" B&Bs and ordering no overnight accomodations in the Lava Disaster Area, how many tourists are left to pay that "30 to 40 percent"?

Poindexter: "Should the GET pass, we need to put some safeguards in place, that is within our jurisdiction, to hold administration accountable."

Shouldn't the administration already be accountable?

Further down, County estimates a $5M revenue shortage due to property tax losses -- but those losses will be around for a few years, how does a 1-year GET surcharge solve the problem?

[Chunkster]

I was shown an email from Eileen Ohara in which she said it wasn't the council's job to manage the county budget. I'll remember that at the election. Neither the Kim administration nor the council have made any real gestures toward efficiency. All they can think of is to raise taxes to support the bloated county payroll because the public employees unions put them in their jobs.

[Frank]

@ chunkter - All they can think of is to raise taxes to support the bloated county payroll because the public employees unions put them in their jobs.

what a crappy position to hold ---

eta...or accept!

[kalakoa]

it wasn't the council's job to manage the county budget

Ironic, then, that Council approves all the appropriations and transfers between designated accounts.

If they're not relevant, maybe we can fire them, save a few bucks.