“Property tax quadruples for needy families in Kalihi” plus 1 more |
| Property tax quadruples for needy families in Kalihi Posted: 20 Aug 2010 02:09 AM PDT By Mari-Ela David - bio | email KALIHI (HawaiiNewsNow) – Slapped with a monster tax hike, Kalihi families are in shock, opening their mail to find their real property tax bills have skyrocketed up to $13,000. And they're not living in mansions. Many of those hit with the tax hike are the needy and the elderly. For years, Rosita Macabeo's tiny house has cost her about $2400 a year in property tax. This year's bill is $11,225. That's up nearly 470%. "I feel very…I am shocked," said Macabeo. Unable to pay, the 89-year-old may be forced to move from the Kalihi home she's lived in since 1963. And she's not alone. Honolulu Council Member Romy Cachola says the tax spike affects much of Kalihi. He says the hardest hit is the area, bound by North King Street, Puuhale Road, Dillingham Boulevard, and Umi Street. "It just seems unfair that such a burden is placed on those who can least afford it," said Ray Camacho, whose mother-in-law's property tax bill increased more than three times what she paid last year. Why the hike? In the 70's, Kalihi was re-zoned from Residential, to Industrial/Commercial. But Cachola says past Mayors continued to charge families the residential rate. Cachola says the Hannemann Administration decided to enforce the proper rate. "Look at the houses that they're going to charge industrial," said Cachola, pointing to humble homes, faced with quadruple the rates. The reclassification took effect in Fiscal Year 2009-2010. Residential rates are at $3.42 and Industrial/Commercial rates are $12.40 per $1000 of assessed value. For many, that means a five-figure bill. "$10,700 and her last year's taxes were $3000. This is devastating, she may have to move, she's on a fixed income," said Camacho. "Cannot afford, I'm in retirement, am 85 years old," said Camacho's mother-in-law. Tax relief is a signature away. Cachola has gone door-to-door, passing out a petition that allows residents to dedicate their homes, meaning they can change it back to residential. "Because the dedication deadline is September 1st," Cachola told one affected resident. But it's for next year's property tax bill. The change is too late for this tax period, which leaves folks like Macabeo stuck. "I am afraid, you know the tax, that's why I am afraid," said Macabeo, who paid the first installment to avoid a 10% penalty if she failed to do so. Macabeo is now scrambling to pay the second installment. The city did notify residents of the tax rate change. Letters went out in December of 2009. But the deadline for dedication forms was September of 2009, so it was too late for residents to re-classify their homes, and avoid the tax hike. Cachola is also passing out claims forms to affected residents that urge Budget and Fiscal Services Director Rix Maurer to reduce their property tax bills. Hawaii News Now put in a call to the Mayor's Office asking why the administrative rate change was implemented. A spokesperson said Thursday night that he would look into it.
Copyright 2010 Hawaii News Now. All rights reserved. This entry passed through the Full-Text RSS service — if this is your content and you're reading it on someone else's site, please read our FAQ page at fivefilters.org/content-only/faq.php |
| Property tax revaluation is coming to West Milford Posted: 19 Aug 2010 10:35 PM PDT Township Attorney Fred Semrau and Tax Assessor Brian Townsend completed specifications for revaluation of properties in the Township of West Milford. As requested by Semrau, Township Administrator Kevin Boyle placed the subject on the agenda for discussion at the August 4 workshop. Township Officials received an order from the New Jersey Division of Taxation in March to implement a municipal-wide revaluation of all property in the township. The same directive went to the other 15 Passaic County municipalities. The last district-wide revaluation was in 1988. Semrau said the township needs to hire a revaluation firm now. He said this is the time of year to start looking for interested firms for best selection of price and opportunity. He predicted that only three or four firms will respond. Semrau requested that the administration set up a subcommittee to review the proposals that come in from revaluation firms and perhaps interview people from the firms so that an appropriate determination can be made. This process should be completed by the end of August so that the township is ready to go in the latter part of the year with neighborhood analysis, field work and the coordinating of updating of property record cards in January, explained Semrau. The firm chosen to do the revaluation will be expected to complete the project by December 31, 2011 for use in assessing properties for the 2012 tax year pursuant to an order adopted by the Passaic County Board of Taxation. The firm will be required to provide an up-to-date tax map that has been reviewed by the Local Property and Utility Branch and deemed suitable for revaluation use. As soon as a contract is signed a principal of the revaluation firm will meet with Townsend to establish a written work schedule for the performance of the revaluation project and the work schedule is to be finalized within two weeks. There will be mailing of an initial explanatory letter and brochure to property owners and a public education program. Notices will be mailed to property owners regarding property inspections. A public education program conducted through the local press and other media, along with meetings with citizens and property owner groups will take place both before and during the revaluation project. Townsend will review and approve all publicity before it is released. Purpose of the public education program shall be a means of establishing understanding and support for the revaluation project and sound assessment administration. After data gathering and analysis for establishment of land values and market data approach to valuation there will be mailing of notices to property owners regarding informal review sessions with interested property owners. There will be revision of property appraisals after completion of informal review sessions. All lands, buildings and improvements within township boundaries will be revalued. A careful and complete field inspection of all properties in the township, including exempt properties and the interior and exterior of all principal buildings and structures will be made. This includes all buildings and structures in the process of being constructed or altered during the course of the revaluation project. The firm chosen will collect and analyze local sales that took place in the previous three years in its application of market data approach to valuation. Market factors include address and neighborhood, zoning, year built, lot size, number of bathrooms and bedrooms, garage facilities, number of fireplaces, interior and exterior condition and landscaping. Township Attorney Fred Semrau and Tax Assessor Brian Townsend completed specifications for revaluation of properties in the Township of West Milford. As requested by Semrau, Township Administrator Kevin Boyle placed the subject on the agenda for discussion at the August 4 workshop. Township Officials received an order from the New Jersey Division of Taxation in March to implement a municipal-wide revaluation of all property in the township. The same directive went to the other 15 Passaic County municipalities. The last district-wide revaluation was in 1988. Semrau said the township needs to hire a revaluation firm now. He said this is the time of year to start looking for interested firms for best selection of price and opportunity. He predicted that only three or four firms will respond. Semrau requested that the administration set up a subcommittee to review the proposals that come in from revaluation firms and perhaps interview people from the firms so that an appropriate determination can be made. This process should be completed by the end of August so that the township is ready to go in the latter part of the year with neighborhood analysis, field work and the coordinating of updating of property record cards in January, explained Semrau. The firm chosen to do the revaluation will be expected to complete the project by December 31, 2011 for use in assessing properties for the 2012 tax year pursuant to an order adopted by the Passaic County Board of Taxation. The firm will be required to provide an up-to-date tax map that has been reviewed by the Local Property and Utility Branch and deemed suitable for revaluation use. As soon as a contract is signed a principal of the revaluation firm will meet with Townsend to establish a written work schedule for the performance of the revaluation project and the work schedule is to be finalized within two weeks. There will be mailing of an initial explanatory letter and brochure to property owners and a public education program. Notices will be mailed to property owners regarding property inspections. A public education program conducted through the local press and other media, along with meetings with citizens and property owner groups will take place both before and during the revaluation project. Townsend will review and approve all publicity before it is released. Purpose of the public education program shall be a means of establishing understanding and support for the revaluation project and sound assessment administration. After data gathering and analysis for establishment of land values and market data approach to valuation there will be mailing of notices to property owners regarding informal review sessions with interested property owners. There will be revision of property appraisals after completion of informal review sessions. All lands, buildings and improvements within township boundaries will be revalued. A careful and complete field inspection of all properties in the township, including exempt properties and the interior and exterior of all principal buildings and structures will be made. This includes all buildings and structures in the process of being constructed or altered during the course of the revaluation project. The firm chosen will collect and analyze local sales that took place in the previous three years in its application of market data approach to valuation. Market factors include address and neighborhood, zoning, year built, lot size, number of bathrooms and bedrooms, garage facilities, number of fireplaces, interior and exterior condition and landscaping. This entry passed through the Full-Text RSS service — if this is your content and you're reading it on someone else's site, please read our FAQ page at fivefilters.org/content-only/faq.php |
| You are subscribed to email updates from Yahoo! News Search Results for property tax To stop receiving these emails, you may unsubscribe now. | Email delivery powered by Google |
| Google Inc., 20 West Kinzie, Chicago IL USA 60610 | |
0 comments:
Post a Comment