HILO — Mayor Billy Kenoi says he doesn’t want it and his finance director says the county can’t afford it, but the county Salary Commission is proceeding with a meeting Thursday to consider a $22,000 raise for the mayor and
HILO — Mayor Billy Kenoi says he doesn’t want it and his finance director says the county can’t afford it, but the county Salary Commission is proceeding with a meeting Thursday to consider a $22,000 raise for the mayor and raises up to 19.8 percent for some department heads.
The commission is seeking public input on the plan, and has scheduled the meeting for the council chambers in Hilo, with videoconferencing to the West Hawaii Civic Center and Waimea council office. The meeting begins at 10 a.m.
The Hawaii County Charter gives the Salary Commission the final say for all elected officials, as well as appointed department heads and deputy directors of departments and executive agencies.
The salary recommendations, which can be found at the Salary Commission website listed at hawaiicounty.gov/boards-and-commissions, were recommended by a three-member committee. The cost of salaries, not including benefits, would increase by $225,000 annually under the recommendations.
The goal of the adjustments is to make salaries more equitable so employees aren’t making more than their bosses, department heads’ salaries are more consistent and salaries are more in line with the pay for the same job in other jurisdictions, committee members said.
Kenoi, for example, currently makes $109,152 annually, less than the county prosecutor, police chief, deputy police chief and fire chief. His salary would rise to $131,154 under the proposal.
Commissioner Brian De Lima said he’s been concerned that a tiered approach to department heads has some directors, such as the Parks and Recreation director, making less than other department heads, even though he has a much bigger department and more employees.
But De Lima said he wants to hear what the public has to say about the plan before he makes a decision.
“I’m going to listen and weigh the input from the public and from fellow commissioners and then I’m going to vote my conscience,” De Lima said.
Citing the sour economy, the Salary Commission in 2009 froze step increases — automatic increases every two years — for top administrative employees not covered by unions. The commission at the time said it would undertake a study to replace the step increases with a more workable process.
Kenoi has taken some heat from the public about the proposed raise, even though he didn’t ask for it. Public comments intensified after he said he’s looking at a possible tax hike to help balance the budget this year.
“I will not accept that raise,” Kenoi told the County Council earlier this month, adding he will donate the entire amount to the United Way if it is forced upon him.
Under the plan, County Prosecutor Mitch Roth, who makes $113,580, would not get a raise, nor would Fire Chief Darren Rosario, who makes $114,768. Police Chief Harry Kubojiri, who also makes $114,768, would get an increase to $127,335.
Kenoi’s Managing Director Wally Lau would get a 19.8 percent raise to $124,596, and Deputy Managing Director Randy Kurohara would get a 10.9 percent increase to $118,149. Kenoi’s four executive assistants, who make between $76,004 and $85,500, aren’t addressed in the recommendations.
Corporation Counsel Lincoln Ashida, who makes $99,000, which is less than several of his deputies, would get a 6.3 percent raise to $105,288.
County Council members, who received a 22 percent raise in 2009, will not get a raise this time around, according to the Salary Commission plan. Councilors currently are paid $48,000 and the council chairman makes $52,000. The salaries are relatively low based upon the assumption that being on the council is not a full-time job.
The Salary Commission didn’t recommend raises for legislative branch officers such as county clerk and legislative auditor.
