HomeMy WebLinkAboutREP FC 083 05/06/1997 1996-1998 REPORT OF THE
COMMITTEE ON FINANCE
DATE: May 6, 1997 Re: Comm. No. 200.02
PLACE: Councilroom
TIME: ]O:SOA.M.
Chair and Members
Hawaii County Council
Hilo, Hawaii 96720
Your Committee on Finance, to which was referred Bill No. 83, reports as follows:
Bill No. 83, transmitted by Prosecuting Attorney Jay T. Kimura and Corporation Counsel
Richard D. Wurdeman, via Communication No. 200.02, dated April ] 7, 1997, amends Chapter 2,
Article 26 of the Hawaii County Code relating to salary grades for deputies in the Office of the
Corporation Counsel and the Office of the Prosecuting Attorney.
As stated in Communication No. 200.02, Mr. Kimura and Mr. Wurdeman feel the proposed
amendments will provide the respective department heads the flexibility to reward meritorious
performances, without having to increase salaries across the board. In addition, they feel it will
eliminate differentiation between deputies, based on department, and places them all on equal
footing. Bill No. 83 would hopefully eliminate the ever present danger of unhealthy professional
jealousy between departments.
Presently, Chapter 2, Article 20, of the Hawaii County Code, states al] deputies shall be placed
into appropriate salary grades and steps (LG-l, LG-2) according to their qualifications and
experience. Advancement within these grades is at the discretion of the appointing authority and
shall be based upon merit principles and governed by the guidelines adopted pursuant to this
article.
The proposed amendment would eliminate salary grades (LG-1) and (LG-2) and allow the
appointing authority to set the salaries for deputies within their offices; provided no deputy shall
be compensated at a rate which is less than fifry percent (50%) or more than ninety percent
(90%) of the salary which has been established for the Prosecuting Attorney or Corporation
Counsel, whichever is higher. The department head shall set the satazy for the individual
deputies based upon the individual's professional experience and performance.
Testimonies were received by deputy prosecuting attorneys in favor of Bill No. 83.
Although a majority of your committee members were in favor of the salary increases, some
members were concerned that the elimination of salary grades would not be equitable and could
potentially create animosity. Your committee voted to pass Bill No. 83, however, amendments
to the Bill may be forthcoming.
FC REPORT NO. 83
Your Committee on Finance is in accord with the purpose and intent of Bill No. 83 and
recommends it pass first reading.
Ikc
Ayes Noes ANoE F.Y
CHUNG X Respectfully submitted
LeITHeA°-TO°° X CO FITF,E ON FINANCE
RAY X ~
SANTANCELO X ~
SMITH X
Tv~ER X AARON S.Y. HUNG, CH IR
vncolvc X FC REPORT NO. 83
ARAKAxI, E.o.M. x ADOPTED: 0 1497