2024-08-27 Salary Commission Minutes

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Salary Commission August 27, 2024 This is really the first time in a long time that we've had a brand new department. However, one thing is, we have the same expectations of all department heads. It doesn't demand—matter what your size is. Historically, the salaries have been relatively close because the work is very similar. So, I try to think about and was prepared to provide that last timeI thought whether there'd be more discussion on the topic. But, really, the OSCER Administrator is most similar to the Department of Research and Development Director. They work and coordinate with other departments, they work on similar projects, and the (inaudible) I think it came up last time about the size of the department, it's still relatively small. So, size -wise, definitely the most similar department we have is the County Auditor. Both of those directors make what the Salary Commission has set as, I believe, the minimum salary of 162—$162,540.00. So, to set a salary for the OSCER Administrator that's $37,540.00 lower—when I walked out I didn't understand why? I felt compelled to provide more information. So, really, I do feel like it's the most similar to Research and Development, and County Auditor. But, in addition, this department is kind of complex and—okay, I'll be honest—I'm a Baby Boomer. So when we use trendy words, like, "resilience" and "sustainability" and things like that—it's difficult for a lot of people to understand what that is. So, this is a very complex department but we expect them to work with Public Works to ensure how we're going to either reinforce Alii Drive or change the alignment so that that the water doesn't keep coming over Alii Drive. That's part of this. It came out that they were going to do grants—and they are. They're helping us a lot by writing grants, but that's not the sole purpose of this department. It's to ensure all of our residents are treated equitably and fairly, it's to ensure our island is sustainable and resilient, and to deal with all the climate. And when you actually read the County Code about trauma -induced care and different things it's words I don't even understand, but it's what's happening in our community. So, I did have someone research what some of these positions make other places. It's different from the other handout Glynis gave me. But it's just to put in perspective that I do believe that this Administrator, like all of our other department heads, should be set at the other director same as them. In addition, OSCER does not have a Deputy Administrator—most of the other department heads have deputies to assist them. So, I just wanted to provide some information. I'm happy to stay around to answer any questions. But, mostly, really, I'm just about equitable being equitable and fair to all of our department heads that I supervise and manage. So, thank you. Page 3