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<br /> <br />Page 15 <br />1 <br />benefit increases -- if that would lead to my neighbors <br /> <br />2 <br />being taxed more. <br /> <br />3 <br />So, it's, kind of, a deadly situation. So I'm, <br /> <br />4 <br />kind, of wondering -- when does it become too deadly <br /> <br />5 <br />because, you know, you see Detroit has declared <br /> <br />6 <br />bankruptcy some time ago – because, basically, the same <br /> <br />7 <br />cost push of salaries and wages. So, when would you <br /> <br />8 <br />tell us that we're getting too high on that <br /> <br />9 <br />percentage? <br /> <br />10 <br />MS. SAKO: I think -- I think, you know, <br /> <br />11 <br />there's a lot of factors playing into it and one is <br /> <br />12 <br />that the State has taken action so that newer <br /> <br />13 <br />employees don't all get the same retirement benefits. <br /> <br />14 <br />So, it may still be ten years away, but we do expect <br /> <br />15 <br />there to be some cost savings in the future related to <br /> <br />16 <br />that. But the other thing is -- is that, while we're <br /> <br />17 <br />very thankful for everything that the Salary <br /> <br />18 <br />Commission does, the significant portion of the <br /> <br />19 <br />increases in our salaries and wages are not set by the <br /> <br />20 <br />Salary Commission, it's from the collective <br /> <br />21 <br />bargaining. <br /> <br />22 <br />And so, those are the ones that are more likely <br /> <br />23 <br />to put burden on the County -- and have. So, I'm not <br /> <br />24 <br />sure, you know -- there will be a time. And, yes, I'm <br /> <br />25 <br />sure I will raise my hand and go, whoa, wait, wait, we <br />ISLAND COURT REPORTING & TRANSCRIPTION SERVICES <br /> <br />(808) 933-9800 <br /> <br />