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The way he looks at is there has been no salary increases whatsoever <br /> for any of these positions since 2008, which was the last adjustment that was <br /> made when the then-Salary Commission made an adjustment based on <br /> automatic step increases. Therefore, he believes they should make some <br /> adjustments. The question is should the adjustments be as proposed? He <br /> thinks the subcommittee spent a lot of time in consultation with the Human <br /> Resources director and staff to come up with the numbers proposed. <br /> Mr. De Lima understands Mr. Taniguchi's point about the Fire Chief, <br /> and they have had some discussion about that. Mr. De Lima recalled that the <br /> Commission, back in January 2012, did make an adjustment to the Fire <br /> Chief's salary. The Fire Chief had wanted an adjustment higher than what <br /> the Commission provided, but they did set the Fire Chief's salary at the same <br /> rate as the Police Chief's back then. While Mr. De Lima is open minded to <br /> making appropriate adjustments, he does not think he has the information to <br /> make the appropriate adjustment today; but he is not proposing that they <br /> delay action on the balance of the recommendations. <br /> Mr. De Lima also commented that they are on an island where a lot of <br /> families are struggling to make ends meet. Those comments were not lost on <br /> him. He believes that the Mayor's public comments about his role and <br /> responsibility and that he would donate the salary increase is in recognition <br /> of that reality. One cannot help but have empathy for these struggling <br /> families, and he doesn't think that by making the necessary adjustments so <br /> that public servants are compensated fairly diminishes their appreciation for <br /> the struggles that many families have. Obviously, making an adjustment as <br /> proposed is not going to take away significant resources that are being used <br /> to meet the County's needs, but they do need to make some adjustments. <br /> Lastly, Mr. De Lima commented on the recommendation made by <br /> Mr. Damerville regarding the Corporation Counsel and the Prosecuting <br /> Attorney. Mr. Damerville hit the nail on the head when he said that there are <br /> certain positions for which it would be very difficult to replace with qualified <br /> people even with the salaries they are proposing. The only time that people <br /> would take such a position is if they're going to retire or they have a calling <br /> to fulfill that role, because obviously in the private sector a talented attorney <br /> can make much more than what is being proposed here. Also, there are a lot <br /> of attorneys that would not consider taking a job even for the short term of <br /> four years. Remember, when the Mayor asks someone to serve, it's not <br /> serving to fill out a career; it's serving for the term of that elected official. A <br /> person leaving an established law practice to take a position serving the <br /> Mayor as the head of the law firm for the County will be giving up a lot to <br /> make what perhaps a young associate would make after five years. So <br /> Mr. De Lima thinks that's something that they should look at in terms of <br /> adjustments. He's not for disturbing the recommendations, but he does <br /> agree with Mr. Damerville that that's a wage that should be adjusted. <br /> 3 <br />