Proposal for larger Big Island land fund dies

A proposal to require 2 percent of Big Island property tax receipts be set aside for purchases of land for open space has died.

The proposed charter amendment by Kohala Councilman Pete Hoffmann drew five of eight votes, but it needed a two-thirds majority in order to be placed before voters.

Instead, voters will face a proposed charter amendment from the county’s Charter Commission to allocate at least 1 percent of tax collections to land purchases.

In 2006, voters approved an ordinance to set aside 2 percent of tax receipts for open space.

But last year, the council approved Mayor Billy Kenoi’s request to suspend the ordinance for two years to help the county deal with budget woes.