Aloha! I wanted to give you a brief update of some happenings in our county:
AMENDMENT TO DECREASE COUNTY OF HAWAII FUEL TAX:
As some of you may have been following, I have a piece of legislation introduced for the reduction of our fuel tax, specifically Resolution 616-18. The background on this piece of legislation goes back to January. It was my intent to be a proponent of an increase in the General Excise Tax (GET) surcharge by a half percent only if I could get concessions in real property tax (RPT) and fuel tax for our people. The window to adjust the real property tax is very, very small; only approximately during the months of May and June. The fuel tax can be worked on at any time. My plan was on track until our county was thrown into one emergency response after another with the lava event and hurricanes. Realizing that any changes during these times were not a priority, everything else was shelved.
With the county with its back up against the wall and no other practical alternative, the county council approved a quarter percent increase in the GET surcharge to balance our budget. We had a deficit of $5 million due to the loss of RPT generation by the inundation of lava, and the GET increase was projected to generate $10 million per year; a surplus. Sadly, we ended up raising the GET without any concessions for our people and that did not sit well with me.
With the fuel tax at 8.8 cents per gallon for the past 30 years, the county council was requested in 2017 to approve an increase of the fuel tax to 15 cents per gallon for the calendar year 2018, then increase it to 19 cents per gallon for 2019 and again to 23 cents per gallon for 2020. Each one cent increase equates to approximately $1 million of collection in fuel tax.
My initial proposed legislation asked for a one cent concession. I now have a floor amendment to introduce at the next Finance Committee that will keep the fuel tax at 15 cents per gallon going forward, rather than escalating it in the next two years. Considering all the new damage our county has dealt with because of Hurricane Lane and the lava event, I believe it is important not to reduce any funding but also, just as important, not increase any more taxes. I anticipate a lively discussion when Resolution 616-18 comes before the Finance Committee on Oct. 16. Please feel free to submit testimony or appear before council to share your thoughts on this matter. Go to www.hawaiicounty.gov/lb-meeting-info/ for more information on how to submit testimony.
WAIKOLOA WILDFIRE COMMUNITY FORUM:
A big mahalo to the Waikoloa Village Community Association Fire Management Action Committee, for bringing together representatives from Hawaii County Fire and Police, U.S. Army-Garrison Pohakuloa, County Civil Defense, Hawaii Wildfire Management Organization and the Waikoloa Community Emergency Response Team for a much-needed fire wise community roundtable. They addressed the community residents on the recent August fire, which burned some 18,000 acres of land in Waikoloa.
Common concerns brought up were the need for a streamlined and accurate means of communication to the community, as well as the need for a second access road in and out of Waikoloa for times like this. Mahalo to all those who attended; it was a great opportunity to hear firsthand the voices of the community, as well as those sitting on the panel on such an important topic. It appears that more work is needed and I look forward to continued collaboration between these agencies as we all aim for a safe and healthy Waikoloa.
WAIMEA COMMUNITY CENTER AND PARK:
It has been brought to my attention that the bathrooms at the Waimea Community Park Bandstand will be closing daily at 2 p.m. to help alleviate the growing concern of lewdness occurring there while children are playing in the area. Safety of our community is the utmost importance, therefore measures like this are inevitable to protect our keiki and all residents alike. Please know that the bathrooms near the tennis court will remain open for use.
It continues to be a great privilege to serve as your councilman and I look forward to our future together.