2013-08-28 Minutes Salary Commission

Home

Salary Commission August 28,2013 liability for the County, so they're an extremely valuable member of the County team. Although he's a former prosecutor, the Corporation Counsel is more valuable than the Prosecutor as far as the impact on the citizens of this island. He said that it's been his experience that both positions make the same salaries in all the other counties he's been to. So, this is a surprise to him and he doesn't really understand it. People say the reason is because the Prosecutor has to run for re- election, but it seems like a distinction without much of a difference, and he isn't sure what the point is because they're out campaigning and they're not doing their job—so, is that a plus or minus? CHARLENE T. The Chair called on Ms. Charlene T. Iboshi, who made the following statement: IBOSHI: Ms. Iboshi stated that she's a happily retired prosecutor, and had submitted written testimony(SEE. ATT. B). There are attachments to her letter that has the other counties pay rate, what they're being paid, and recommendations. She thanked the Commissioners for the work they're doing to ensure, at least, that the deputy salaries did not go down with the newly elected prosecutor. Today, she's here to ask the Commission to consider giving the deputies an increase considering the length of time that they have been working very hard, many who have been working without a pay increase and had taken a furlough cut for years. As the economy improves, we need to encourage the experienced and seasoned deputies to stay with the County by giving them incentives. She asked the Commissioners to consider incremental increases because it would be helpful to know ahead of time for budgeting and planning purposes, and to know the type of increase whether one,two, or three percent. The appointing authority would have the full reign in terms of what each individual deputy makes. She commented that the Prosecuting Attorney and Corporation Counsel's offices are special because they need to be licensed attorneys, and require that they have at least three years of post-graduate work and a State license. She thinks that both the Prosecuting Attorney and the Corporation Counsel should be paid what the Salary Commission is recommending, but feels that there should be some recognition for the prosecuting attorney. Their scope of work is such that the responsibility weighs heavily and that's why the prosecutor is an elected official. They have three offices that they run and the staffing is greater than the Corporation Counsel. They presently have about 36 employees. They should be paid a little more based on the fact that they run the biggest law office in this County. Page 3