Harris repeats inclination to not raise property taxes

By Johnny Brannon
Advertiser Staff Writer

Mayor Jeremy Harris yesterday said he still has no intention of seeking City Council authority to raise residential property taxes this year, but that it's too early to rule out the prospect completely.

"You can't make a decision on taxes until you determine what the costs are," he said.

Harris has repeatedly said he hopes no residential tax increase will be necessary. The council has publicly drafted a letter stating that it will not support one, and that Harris should look for other sources of money. Harris hadn't received the letter by late yesterday, but said the warning on taxes wasn't necessary.

"There is no need for the council to be suggesting to me that we shouldn't raise residential property tax rates, since I've already in multiple times come out and said I don't want to raise residential property tax rates," Harris said. "So if they're agreeing with that policy that we've stated over and over again, then I'm pleased to hear that they agree."

Harris is scheduled to unveil his proposed city budget early next month. He said he may seek to raise taxes for commercial properties like hotels and resorts, but that no decision has been made yet.

"They're all paying significantly less than they were paying 10 years ago," he said.

Several council members have signed a resolution directing Harris to include no new park or beautification projects in the new spending plan. But the mayor said he is under no obligation to honor the measure if it's approved.

"Their role is not to tell me what to submit to them," he said. "In preparation of the budget, I'm not going to try to discern what it is they want me to send down and try to read their minds and send down what they want to hear. That's not my job. My job is to send down what I think is responsible."

Five council members are up for re-election this year. Harris said the ban on park projects appeared to be a way for council members to seek "political cover" and avoid cutting specific projects.

Councilman Gary Okino has said the ban could help the council withstand pressure from constituents to approve expensive projects that should be deferred until the city has more money.

Reach Johnny Brannon at jbrannon@honoluluadvertiser.com or 525-8070.