2013-08-28 Minutes Salary Commission

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June 6, 2013 iiia .,. -SJ i IU Li Salary Commission, Hawaii County Aupuni Center 101 Pauahi, Suite 2 Hilo, Hawaii 96720 Dear Chairperson Lundkvist and Commissioners: RE: Executive Salary for Prosecuting Attorney and Deputies--Recpmmendation to have parity with other Counties and a plan for predictable deputy raises for recruitment and retention Thank you for the Commission's work of proposing the initial increases for the Executives, including Dale Ross, First Deputy Prosecuting Attorney. Now, the harder work of developing a structure for future salaries of executives, the elected Prosecutor and deputies within the Prosecuting Attorney's Office and the Department of the Corporation Counsel continues. The restructuring should be thoughtful, sustainable and predictable. The Office of the Prosecuting Attorney of Hawaii County and the Corporation Counsel's Department have recruited and retained the best attorneys for their important work. The economic forecast should be considered, but not the only factor. The tough economic times are easing, so now is the time to consider how to develop parity with other counties'prosecuting attorneys'and corporation counsels' salary schedules. Why? Both Offices have attorneys who are appointed professionals who are not covered by any collective bargaining status. These attorneys acquire an advanced juris doctorate degree requiring three (3) years of post-graduate college education and state licensure after passing a tough bar examination. Unlike most other county executives, the professional status cannot satisfied by work experience only. The Prosecuting Attorney has the additional requirement of being a county-wide, "elected official." Hawaii County is the fastest growing county, challenged by economic and social stresses not felt by other counties---because of our sheer size. The Hawaii County Prosecutor has three offices island-wide, while every other county has one office location. This Hawaii County Prosecuting Attorney runs the largest legal office on this island. Throughout the past two decades, the Office has doubled in size. Moreover, the Prosecuting Attorney recruited and retained deputies with outstanding legal skills, especially litigation expertise second-to none in the state. The National Prosecuting Attorneys'Association has long-recognized that the success of a Prosecutor requires the stability of a core staff of deputy prosecuting attorneys who are career deputies. Retention of these career deputies requires adequate compensation ATT. B