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Committee backs allocating 8.34% TAT carve-out to parks, botanical gardens and zoo fund
Summary
Councilmember Kia Aina's Bill 44 would dedicate 100% of the 8.34% transient accommodations tax carve-out to parks-related funds (maintenance, botanical gardens/urban forestry and the Honolulu Zoo); the administration and parks director signaled support and the committee reported it out for 2nd reading.
Councilmember Kia Aina outlined Bill 44, which would allocate 100% of the statutory 8.34% transient accommodations tax (TAT) carve-out to parks and related funds: 65% to the Parks Maintenance and Recreation Services Revolving Fund, 10% to the Botanical Gardens and Urban Forestry Revolving Fund, and 25% to the Honolulu Zoo Fund. Aina said the split aims to target funds where needs are greatest and provide predictable, dedicated revenue for maintenance and programming.
"What this ordinance did was it set aside 8.34% of all transient accommodations taxes to be used to mitigate the impacts of visitors and public facilities and natural resources," Councilmember Kia Aina said, noting the carve-out is currently roughly $8.99 million annually.
Director Laura Thielen of the Department of Parks and Recreation described how dedicating the funds will allow the department to plan long-range maintenance and avoid year-to-year lapsing of funds; she said the intent is not to accumulate balances but to expend the funds on programs and maintenance. Director Dita Holofield of Enterprise Services introduced the new Honolulu Zoo director, John Barry, who described deferred maintenance needs, recent outages and a vision for exhibit upgrades and conservation programming.
The committee amended the parks fund bill in committee (CD2 posted) and voted to report Bill 44 out for passage on second reading and schedule a public hearing.
