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Page 17 <br />1 within. <br />2 CHR. ONO: Milton? <br />3 MR. PAVAO: Yeah, I have a question. Maybe <br />4 the question is more for Bill than Deanna. <br />5 When you enter into negotiations, I'm sure, <br />6 with the union, the question of ability to pay comes <br />7 into play, right? <br />8 MR. BRILHANTE: Commissioner Pavao, yes, <br />9 that's always a component of the negotiations. Going <br />10 forward, actually, as a matter of fact, we hire an <br />11 expert, subject matter expert, for that specific issue <br />12 as to what's the economic impacts of potential raises <br />13 and how are the County's -- their ability to pay <br />14 associated with the salary requests. So that does play <br />15 a role, but when we enter negotiations, when we're <br />16 engaged in negotiations, just remember County of Hawaii <br />17 is one of five entities. There's other jurisdictions <br />18 as well as the State, and almost every jurisdiction <br />19 plays a role in that going forward; and oftentimes, the <br />20 uniqueness of Hawaii County is not really given much <br />21 consideration when the arbitrator makes their decision. <br />22 I wish it would be given more consideration, but we <br />23 just have one vote. So, you know, going forward, <br />24 that's generally how it is. <br />25 MR. PAVAO: I guess based on that line of <br />ISLAND COURT REPORTING & TRANSCRIPTION SERVICES <br />(808) 933-9800 <br />