LIHU’E — The county Salary Commission yesterday continued to delay action on a proposal to grant a 14 percent salary increase for Mayor Maryanne Kusaka and other top county officials. Administrative Assistant Wallace Rezentes Sr. supported the pay hike proposal
LIHU’E — The county Salary Commission yesterday continued to delay action on
a proposal to grant a 14 percent salary increase for Mayor Maryanne Kusaka and
other top county officials.
Administrative Assistant Wallace Rezentes Sr.
supported the pay hike proposal with a detailed list of Kusaka Administration
accomplishments.
Commissioners said the information will play an important
part in their decision and asked for more time to study the
issue.
Commissioner Roberta Wallace asked whether county employees have
done a good job. In response, Rezentes said he felt employees worked at a
level that has been “far above a C.”
Wallace also asked whether Kusaka’s
appointees have been good role models for the rank and file employees.
He
gave an “A-plus” rating to the county Finance Department, which with the
support of the Kaua’i County Council, has set up procedures to tax timeshare
properties fairly and to generate more tax revenues for the county.
He
also praised the county’s Chief Appraiser Steve Hunt and Deputy County Attorney
Galen Nakamura for their work in the passage of bills that have raised taxes
on gentlemen farmers and have ensured continued tax breaks for legitimate
farmers and ranchers.
Kauaian Richard Vidinha, a retired Kaua’i police
officer, said while Kusaka’s achievements are noteworthy, the 14 percent
salary increase proposal lacks merit.
Honolulu Mayor Jeremy Harris, with a
constituency of 1 million people, commands a yearly salary of about $100,000,
Vidinha said.
By comparison, Kusaka, who seeks a salary hike from
$73,118 to $85,000, leads a county with a population of about 56,000, Vidinha
said.
The administration has proposed a two-tiered increase. The first pay
raise would amount to 9 percent, would be retroactive to October and in effect
through July 2000. The remaining 5 percent would be included in the 2000-2001
fiscal budget.
In support of the raises, Rezentes said:
* The number of
county positions has dropped from 868 to 844 in the five year’s Kusaka has
been in office.
The mayor has hired about 100 people, mostly to replace
employees who retired, Rezentes said.
* The county’s unemployment rate has
dropped to about 7 percent.
* The number of building permits has gone
up.
* The visitor count is up.
* Kusaka has vigorously promoted Kaua’i
and has brought major travel agent groups to the island.
Rezentes also
praised Kusaka for her efforts in getting these programs off the ground:
Job training that resulted in 170 people finding new work.
* A joint
effort with the Kaua’i Economic Development Board to develop the Waimea
High-Tech/Visitor Center.
* Visitor Aloha program, which has resulted in
music and refreshments for visitors at the Lihu’e Airport.
* Creation of
the Ho’olokahi program, which has encouraged residents to volunteer their
services to take care of their communities, saving the county a $1
million.
The Salary Commission is scheduled to meet at 10 a.m. on Dec. 13.
The location of the meeting is yet to be announced.
