Wednesday, November 25, 2009
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Council passes homeowner tax classification granting some relief
By B.J. Reyes
POSTED: 07:27 p.m. HST, Oct 27, 2009
The City Council revived a proposal to create a separate "homeowner" class for real property taxation after a last-minute appeal from Mayor Mufi Hannemann.
Council members moved to revive the bill after late testimony from city Managing Director Kirk Caldwell, who said if the city hoped to provide some form of tax relief to homeowners, the measure had to be taken up at today's Council meeting.
The bill passed 5-3, with Councilman Charles Djou, the strongest opponent of the measure, absent for the vote, which came at about 7:10 p.m.
Voting no were Council members Ikaika Anderson, Romy Cachola and Ann Kobyashi, who expressed harsh criticism over the process.
"I, for one, apologize to the public for our behavior," Kobayashi said. "I'm ashamed."
The change of vote came about seven hours after members voted to recommit the bill to committee.
Chairman Todd Apo said Hannemann met with him afterward to express the importance of the measure to the administration.
"It was expressed to me how vital the administration said this was and I'm willing to work with them," Apo said.
The City Council revived a proposal to create a separate "homeowner" class for real property taxation after a last-minute appeal from Mayor Mufi Hannemann.
Council members moved to revive the bill after late testimony from city Managing Director Kirk Caldwell, who said if the city hoped to provide some form of tax relief to homeowners, the measure had to be taken up at today's Council meeting.
The bill passed 5-3, with Councilman Charles Djou, the strongest opponent of the measure, absent for the vote, which came at about 7:10 p.m.
Voting no were Council members Ikaika Anderson, Romy Cachola and Ann Kobyashi, who expressed harsh criticism over the process.
"I, for one, apologize to the public for our behavior," Kobayashi said. "I'm ashamed."
The change of vote came about seven hours after members voted to recommit the bill to committee.
Chairman Todd Apo said Hannemann met with him afterward to express the importance of the measure to the administration.
"It was expressed to me how vital the administration said this was and I'm willing to work with them," Apo said.
Today’s Edition
- Friends and associates join search for missing kayaker
- Legislators cancel party plans
- Teachers willing to return for restored furlough days
- Harbor officials eye fee increase
- Mammograms: Do I really need this?
- Thanksgiving Day events serve food to those in need
- Kokua Line: Insurance verification uses Social Security info
- Newswatch
- Police and Fire
- Australia's move on credit card fees may have lessons for U.S.
- At Iraqi museum, Google chief announces plan to put artifacts online
- Kona holiday fundraiser helps culinary students
- By Request: Help others and collect the year's best recipes
- The Electric Kitchen: Desserts offer options to usual pumpkin pie
- Pet Ohana
- Da Kine
- Got nutrients?
- Wahine advance to WAC final
- Medeiros catches on at slot
- Prep World: Jamora ready for Govs
- Prep World: Athletes of the Week
- Prep briefs
- Say and Look have Aiea and 'Iolani talking, watching wins
- Cincinnati rolls through Maryland at Maui Invitational
- Couples will play in Hawaii
- Local aces
- Hawaii Beat
- Scoreboard
- TV & Radio
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