How can Salary Commission OK raises in this economy?
The Salary Commission is way out of line. The economy has not recovered and they are giving out raises like there are no limits. Do they ever consider lowering salaries if some salaries are out of line? I make less money for a private company than I did 10 years ago.
Mayor Kenoi promised to lower property taxes for rentals and farms when the economy was better after he raised them in his first term. Maybe it is time for him to act on his promise.
Now all I read about is everyone in government is getting a raise. The County Council is giving raises to its helpers. The mayor is giving raises to his subordinates. The Salary Commission is raising all the commissioners salaries. The unions negotiated for raises. The raises are way bigger than inflation.
At the same time, the committee to make property taxes equitable has done nothing. Is the only chance a property owner in Hawaii has is to get a Jarvis-like bill passed to put a cap on property taxes?
The mayor and the government employees laughed when Brenda Ford indicated her property taxes increased. Is the Salary Commission also laughing at how inept property owners’ voice in government expenses is?
Is this why your public hearing is in Hilo at a time when only county employees attend? Is this so they get paid to hold the meeting. They could care less about what effect it has on property taxes?
Why doesn’t the salary commission publish their study, so the public can see where they get their figures from?
I can’t imagine many places raising salaries in these times. I know private companies aren’t.
Michael Wilson
Captain Cook