2026-05-12 Merit Appeals Board Minutes

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Merit Appeals Board May 12, 2026 class or a new class”—we can keep them—give them the timelines for any required union consultations, et cetera. So, that front end proactive approach, I think, helps everybody to understand, be on the same page, be aware of all the different steps that will be involved, be aware of anticipated timelines—so that, then, it doesn’t just become, “Well, it’s with HR and HR takes forever”—it’s, like, there is a process to it. So, let’s help you to understand what that process is so that the expectations are aligned with what’s actually happening. MR. THOMAS: Thank you, Professor, I appreciate the orientation. MS. TOKIHIRO: Thank you for asking. MR. THOMAS: On the surface, our group is supposed to hear appeals, but I think the context within which a particular case comes up is important to us. I don’t know if there’s any training that would be appropriate to ask Classification—this group to present to us, but I know any of us who—some of you who’ve been at this for a lifetime, it seems—some of us have not and maybe there’s room for helping us understand the context that these cases bring to us. Thank you. CHR. CABANAS: Good point. I guess if the Board wanted an overview, again, of the various functional areas, we could ask the Director to have her Managers conduct a brief overview, and then whatever questions you may have in their functional area— because there’s eight different divisions within the department—you could ask. But then, we have to be mindful that we have appeals coming in certain areas that we shouldn’t delve into, so that we’re not in conflict—but I think that’s possible, if you want an overview. We’re still waiting for the fifth Board position to be filled, and I’m getting quite concerned because we’ve been waiting, like, two—almost two years for that position to be filled. And, to me, it’s important because I’d like to have a full Board of five members—and then, have the overview, so that everyone gets the information. MR. THOMAS: Is that fifth position, sort of, earmarked for a particular part of the County? CHR. CABANAS: I understood that it was to be from Kona. MR. THOMAS: From Kona. CHR. CABANAS: And I’ve talked to the Managing Director, myself, because it’s been quite long, so—and I’ve talked to Micah, also—several times. So, they said they’re working on it, but— Page 9