2025-12-22 Salary Commission Minutes

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Salary Commission December 22, 2025 getting raises when they cannot even maintain their offices, is something we need to consider. So, that’s where your retention comes in. They’re not going to stay. The turnover is high. They’ve got qualified engineers in the Department of Environmental Management—they’ve left, and it’s not because they’re not qualified to fill in for—or promotion. So, it’s the climate that no one is looking at because it is a problem. And if we could fulfill the obligation of the Charter to fill all these necessary positions, we may not have this problem. And maybe raises are good for certain departments when its—you can see the tangible results—yeah. But to do it across-the- board when some are not—is a disservice and an injustice to not only the County but to everybody who works in it. And I—this is my last opportunity. I’ve lost it because it’s already done. But I’m just saying a lot of the commissions are not filled and it’s not because they’re not—people are not applying— just like jobs—people are applying. They’re not being called. And so, this is why it’s, like—I go out and I look at stuff and I ask questions because I need to know more than I’m being told. So, transparency is a big issue. We’re only told what we—they want you to know. And so, if you didn’t have any questions, you accept it “as is”—and that’s where it lands. And so, with HR, I know you’re doing a lot of work—but for three years I was on the department—with the DEM on the EMC—and it’s always been an issue. And HR isn’t full— your (inaudible) is not there. So, I’m just saying, it is a done deal but maybe consideration can be given more deeply into actually looking at each department instead of just blanketing the raises for everyone. CHR. PAVAO: I think your suggestions are good, but as has Commissioner Namahoe was saying earlier, that testimony you’re giving should be given to the County Council, so they can create a Charter amendment. They have to amend the Charter. We don’t have that kind of power. MS. OTSUKA: So, your authority on the Salary Commission, you can change the Rules—can you not? CHR. PAVAO: No. The Charter is very specific what we can and cannot do. We cannot do that. We cannot do performance-based raises. It’s not—it’s in the Charter. MS. OTSUKA: But I thought I read that the Salary Commission has the authority to change your Rules? CHR. PAVAO: We can’t change the Charter. We can change our Rules but not the Charter. MS. OTSUKA: No, but you can change your Rules to maybe reflect. Page 14