2014-04-17 Minutes Salary Commission

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Salary Commission April 17, 2014 Mr. Hermes clarified that he believes that the deputies pay is a function of 95%of either the Corporation Counsel or the Prosecuting Attorney salaries—whichever is the highest. Mr. De Lima commented that there was an increase in the Prosecutor's salary in October 2013 and that everyone was eligible for a pay increase. Mr. Hermes agreed, but in Mr. Kamelamela's case, his current salary is, basically, 95%of the Prosecuting Attorney's salary. Mr. De Lima stated that it's not really accurate to say that nobody's received a pay increase for an x-number of years because they increased the Prosecuting Attorney's salary and everyone was eligible for an increase. Mr. Hermes replied that prior to the November 2013 increase of the Corporation Counsel many of his deputies were at that maximum threshold of the$113,000. Mr. De Lima stated that was because they had increased the Prosecuting Attorney's salary a year prior to the October meeting—either in 2012 or early 2013. Ms. Stebbins clarified that former Prosecutor Jay Kimura was at$113,000 level under the old step system. When Charlene Iboshi stepped into his position,the Salary Commission took action and stated that Ms. Iboshi should maintain that salary level of$113,000. And so, for quite some time, the deputies have all been paid at about 90%. Mr. De Lima commented that, in other words,they never increased the Prosecuting Attorney's salary and had capped Ms. Iboshi at$113,000. Mr. Hermes replied that when the Commission increased the Corporation Counsel's salary, there really wasn't any effect on the deputy's salaries. Mr. De Lima stated that, based on Mr. Kamelamela's testimony, if anyone is going to see a pay increase, we would need to increase the Prosecuting Attorney's salary. There'd be room for an increase for anyone making below$102,000. Mr. Hermes agreed. Ms. Stroh was surprised that this wasn't brought to the attention of the Commission. Ms. Stebbins said that the Salary Commission doesn't have any authority over the deputy's salaries. Indirectly, it was affected because the deputy's salaries are paid based on the salary of the Corporation Counsel or Prosecuting Attorney. The deputy's salaries is set per the Hawai'i County Code at 50%to 90%of either the Corporation Counsel or the Prosecuting Attorney salaries, whichever is higher. Ms. Stroh commented that this should have been noted and it would have possibly made a difference in their methodology. Page 3