Council to review farm tax changes

By Treena Shapiro
Advertiser Staff Writer

O'ahu farmers caught unaware by changes to the taxes for agricultural land might get some relief under a resolution introduced by two City Council members.

Instead of assessing the farmer's property as agricultural land as in the past, assessments next month will be based on the fair market value of the portion of a farmer's property not used for agricultural purposes.

The change could mean significantly larger taxes for farmers, some of whom have told the council they might not be able to pay the bill.

The change to the law was meant to prevent owners of property zoned for agriculture from taking advantage of the lower property tax rate and using the land for other purposes.

Farmers were given until Sept. 1 to let the city know how much of their land was dedicated to farming, but many farmer lessees missed the deadline. Councilwoman Barbara Marshall and Council Chairman Donovan Dela Cruz urged the city administration to work with certain farmers to negotiate a compromise of any claims.