WEST HAWAII TODAY | Sunday, July 29, 2018 13X
Tim Richards - County Council 9th District
Do you support new
construction in the lava
zone 1?
This is a difficult question
balancing between
inherent property
rights, Public Safety,
and the greater public
good. Unfortunately, the
construction that was
allowed decades ago
has now created a heavy
burden on the public
and private sector. We
might have never seen a
lava flow like this in our
lifetime; but we have now.
I believe people have a
right to exercise their
ability to live on their land,
but if it costs the public
sector vast amounts of
resources, we need to seek
an alternative. I would
support a moratorium on
any new construction until
other options have been
reviewed; balanced, and
considered. Examples like
land trade, buyout, etc.
What specific area must
the county focus on to
better balance the budget
every year?
Diversifying the revenue
source. Somewhere
between 2/3 and 3/4 of
our total income for the
county budget comes
from our real property
tax collection. Any impact
to this, as we have seen
with the recent volcanic
activity, has a huge impact
on our financial stability.
The slight increase in the
general excise tax (GET)
proposal I made earlier
this year with offsetting
decreasing real property
and fuel tax was a start.
This would have been
generally a net zero impact
on residents but opening a
wider collection by getting
more tax dollars from our
visitors. As always, I will
continue to advocate for
a more fair distribution
of the transient
accommodation tax (TAT).
Why should people vote
for you?
I have a passion for the
success of the County
of Hawai‘i. Being born
and raised here with my
generational roots steeped
in agriculture, I have a
deep appreciation for the
lands, the people, and
the needs of our county.
Hawai‘i is my home.
My living standard is
dependent upon our island
economy. My income
depends on this economy.
I view being a Councilman
as carrying a fiduciary
responsibility with it.
When making decisions for
our county, I keep seeking
a balance between any
environmental, economic,
and cultural impact any of
my decisions may have. My
lifetime of experience with
a very clear understanding
of the county’s finances
all help in my decision
process.
What’s the most pressing
issue facing the county?
Having the resources
available to our county
to care for the challenges
we face. Specifically,
making sure the county
stays financially sound
to afford us the ability to
deliver our Charter duties;
Public Safety, Parks and
Recreation, Water Supply
and Waste Management.
We must also be able to
care for our infrastructure
and roadways. With
thoughtful planning and
the financial resources,
we can also develop
workforce/affordable
housing for the long
term. The solution is in
a dynamic economy that
generates revenues from
ongoing commerce.
What should the county
focus on as it shifts to
long-term recovery from
the Kilauea eruption?
I believe we need to look at
an over arching economic
plan for the county. The
re-opening of Hawai‘i
Volcanoes National Park
is completely up in the
air. Hoping it will happen
soon is not a plan. The
economic impact due to
the decrease in tourism
for our county is huge. We
must look to economic
growth while at the same
time, seeking long-term
housing solutions for the
many citizens now made
homeless because of the
volcano.
What main project or
mission for your district
will you champion if
elected?
The first is a concept I
have been working on for
well over a dozen years;
Water, Agriculture, and
Energy; a Food Nexus
for Hawai‘i Island. This
combines managing
water for hydro-electric
generation and irrigation
with wind energy. This will
take us towards our goal of
renewable energy and selfreliance
while supplying
needed irrigation water to
increase our agriculture,
and thus food self-reliance.
Additionally, I have a
workforce/affordable
housing initiative started
that if completed will
bring well over 1000 units
that will remain in the
affordable category, and
not convert to market.
Both of these are currently
underway.
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