2025-11-17 Salary Commission Public Hearing Minutes

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Salary Commission November 17, 2025 CHR. PAVAO: Thank you. Next up is Dell Otsuka. MS. OTSUKA: Good morning, Chair, Commissioners, Counsel, and Secretary. My name is Dell Otsuka, I’m a lifetime resident of Keaukaha—and I would like to thank you for the opportunity to provide this oral testimony, but it’s expanding on my written testimony that I had submitted last week. I have the deepest respect for what you do. I’ve also been a commissioner for the Environmental Department—terming out this December. So, it is important. I can understand this coming before us, but what I need to say—and I want to be constructive about it—because granting these raises at this time, for this long a period—is not fiscally acceptable for me, anyway. And that’s because our County’s future depends upon your decision. We are living in uncertain, yet, undeniably changing times of economic stress and predictable instability. So, this proposal is very hard. And I understand that the increases are being presented as necessary for recruitment and retention. But I ask that you consider carefully how this rationale applies to our County’s leadership structure because of the 41 positions that we’re talking about—11 are elected, 30 are appointed; and of the 11 elected officials, the concept of retention does not apply since their continued service is dependent upon vote of confidence and performance during their terms—not on the salary level. A pay raise does not ensure retention in these 11 positions, only accountability and trust can do that. For the 30 appointed positions, this is a real opportunity to strengthen both recruitment and retention strategies through meaningful measures of performance. Compensation should reflect results. Raises should be earned—not expected or inherited. Another rationale for these raises is in comparison to private and public sector. I worked in public sector. Private, for-profit, public government taxpayer funded—roles are fundamentally different. The government does not operate for profit; therefore, private sector salaries are not an appropriate benchmark unless transparent and justified. But justifications were specified for comparing the County department head to a corporate CEO or CFO. Which private businesses were named and for what positions exactly to determine what you’re planning to do? A County agency head oversees public health, safety, infrastructure, and all public services—not for profit. A private CEO is judged on behalf of growth—not public services—and accountability. Also, with private sector—no revenue growth, no profits—mean no raises, no commissions, layoffs, and company closures. My time is running out. I do have—I do want to address a few other agenda items for later, but if you want me to read it, I can do it all now. CHR. PAVAO: Yeah, you can do it now. Page 4