10-13-2017, 04:58 AM
http://www.hawaiitribune-herald.com/news...-officials
Commissioners want to address discrepancies created when union-negotiated raises at the state level put some of the county middle managers at higher pay than their bosses. But several commissioners worried about the impact raises will have on a county budget that already relied this year on tax hikes to balance.
The county charter gives the Salary Commission the responsibility to set salaries of top officials in the county. The commission has no jurisdiction over union members. Salaries set by the commission cannot be changed by the County Council or the mayor.
Some commissioners worried that the county would have to again raise property taxes or cut services in order to factor in raises when balancing the budget. But that shouldn't be their concern, said Finance Director Deanna Sako.
"Your duties are to set the salaries and we'll find the money, so to speak," Sako said.
Commissioners want to address discrepancies created when union-negotiated raises at the state level put some of the county middle managers at higher pay than their bosses. But several commissioners worried about the impact raises will have on a county budget that already relied this year on tax hikes to balance.
The county charter gives the Salary Commission the responsibility to set salaries of top officials in the county. The commission has no jurisdiction over union members. Salaries set by the commission cannot be changed by the County Council or the mayor.
Some commissioners worried that the county would have to again raise property taxes or cut services in order to factor in raises when balancing the budget. But that shouldn't be their concern, said Finance Director Deanna Sako.
"Your duties are to set the salaries and we'll find the money, so to speak," Sako said.
!]