Maui County Council’s
ordinance gives tax relief
to homeowners
WAILUKU >> Homeowners on the Valley Isle, Lanai and Molokai would get some tax relief from rising property assessments under an ordinance passed as part of the 2004-05 budget.
The Maui County Council passed a $348 million budget yesterday that would increase the homeowner assessment exemption by $30,000.
The budget goes to Mayor Alan Arakawa for his review.
Under the budget, the exemption for property tax assessments would be raised to $110,000 from $80,000 for most homeowners and to $130,000 from $100,000 for homeowners 70 or older.
Councilwoman Charmaine Tavares said property assessments went up so dramatically -- 30 percent to 60 percent last year -- that some relief was necessary.
"I think we've met the needs of the community," she said.
Tavares said the Council added road resurfacing work in Wailuku-Kahului, Kihei-Makena, and West Maui, areas that had been left out of Arakawa's budget.
The budget includes an increase in several fees -- $3 to $5 for a driver's license, $14.50 to $17.50 for motor vehicle registration, and $250 to $500 for a standard ocean recreational activity permit.