2023-08-04 Salary Commission Minutes

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Salary Commission August 4, 2023 on this board—we give back to our island. We often do so—and all of us comes from different walks of life. We all have different income streams. Some do really well, some get by—and— but when we talk about these positions that we've got to fund, that we've got to provide salaries to—we need to be cognizant of the individuals and their positions, their roles and responsibilities without bias—our own personal bias. As an example, there was a recent posting for a chief of police for the Transit Authority. And this is the guys that do the buses and the trains for bay area rapid transit. The starting salary for that person that has a budget smaller than Big Island, has a staff of a thirdI'm sorry—half of what we have. The starting salary for that position was $365,000.00. Our current chief, more than amply qualifies to take that position. And so, Commissioner Greenbaum, to kind of drive home your point—the opportunities for all of our talented individuals are out there. And they may exercise that. We don't want them to. And I'm not suggesting that we can compete with mainland salaries, `cause we can't. We don't have the tax base. We offer a lot more to our people, but we have to be equitable. And we have to solve the parity problem. Because when our subordinates make more money than our chiefs do—and I'm not talking $1.00 or $5.00I'm talking 20 to 40$50,000.00 more. We have to resolve that and that's incumbent on us. Because it does keep the motivation of the department and it makes our community safer because they're now motivated to do their work. MS. NAMAHOE: Thank you so much, Commissioner. I need to pose a question to Mr. Patel. And that's, again, looking at the Communication 23-06. The information from the City and County of Honolulu is now outdated. This includes all of the salaries before their recent increases. I would like to ask you, sir, if you could submit to us an amended and updated spreadsheet so that we can really see what the difference is. MR. PATEL: Yes, Commissioner Namahoe. You should have Communication 23-12. MS. NAMAHOE: And it's formatted the same way? Is it—hang on one second—maybe if I turn the page I have my own answer? MR. PATEL: The green folder. MS. NAMAHOE: It's in the green folder. Yeah, see, I'm not looking at my green folder right now. I'm only stuck on the blue. Hang on one second, `cause then I'm going to be marking up that page. MR. PATEL: But—yeah, so City and County's salaries are higher as of 7/1 this year. MS. NAMAHOE: So, here in the green folder. Page 18