City Funding
Position in Brief:
The League of Women Voters of Honolulu believes that sources of revenue for the City and County of Honolulu should be adequate to provide the public services people need. In the event that additional revenues are required, the people's ability to pay should be taken into account in determining the nature and extent of any revenue measure.
The League supports authorization by the State of additional taking powers for the City or an increase in the State funds transferred to the City. User fees could be judiciously instituted or increased.
Amplification of Position:
The City and County of Honolulu relies primarily on real property taxes for funds to provide necessary public services. To maintain or expand services, real property taxes may need to be increased. Other sources of revenue should be authorized or made available before real property taxes are raised substantially.
Alternate sources could include, among others, an excise tax (whether collected through State agencies or the County directly), an increase in State Funds transferred to the County, an increase in existing statutory grants-in-aid, or an increase in tobacco and alcohol taxes.
User fees should be established very judiciously and confined to "luxury-type" activities not universally needed. In setting fees, consideration should be given not only to operating costs, but to administrative and collection costs.
Adopted 6/23/89
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