Trending
While it may seem a little early to be talking about changes in the Maui County Charter that should be on the ballot in 2018, we're going to suggest an obvious one:
It's time to do away with the Maui County Salary Commission and index pay for the mayor, County Council members, department directors and deputies to the same Cost of Living Adjustment Social Security recipients receive.
Every couple of years the Salary Commission surprises residents by giving double-digit increases to these folks. As we've written here before, it complicates the budgeting process and is very unprofessional. Their determinations require no approval from either the mayor or council.
The salary for mayor of Maui County has increased over 32 percent since 2014.
Meanwhile, seniors relying on Social Security for a good part of their income have been receiving 1 percent per year (or less) cost-of-living adjustments.
A yearly COLA change would allow officials to have a steady increase without sending shock waves within the budget, and it would get rid of the sense of unfairness huge raises give rank-and-file county employees, not to mention ordinary citizens.
It is time to get rid of the outrage the Salary Commission causes every couple of years. Replace it with a yearly COLA.
* Editorials reflect the opinion of the publisher.