“So it’s kind of an equity issue in realizing that we have four islands, three of them inhabited, and we don’t want to handicap folks from less populated islands from applying for jobs from the county at the highest levels.”
HONOLULU (KHON2) — The first amendment on the Maui County ballot asked voters to decide on changing the wording in the charter to be consistent with the State Constitution to require the Salary Commission to determine “salaries” instead of “compensation” for elected officials and appointed directors and deputy directors. Supporters said it would allow for a cleaner distinction for reimbursement costs such as travel.
2024 Proposed Maui County Charter Amendment QUESTION #1:
Shall the Charter be amended to require the Salary Commission to determine “salaries” instead of “compensation” for elected officials and appointed directors and deputy directors to maintain consistency with the Constitution of the State of Hawaii and remove fiscal barriers to create equity through benefits such as reimbursement of travel costs?
“So it’s kind of an equity issue in realizing that we have four islands, three of them inhabited, and we don’t want to handicap folks from less populated islands from applying for jobs from the county at the highest levels,” said Maui County Councilmember Tamara Paltin.
2024 Proposed Maui County Charter Amendment QUESTION #2:
Shall the Charter be amended, effective July 1, 2025, to authorize the Board of Ethics of
the County of Maui to hire independent staff?
The second charter amendment asks voters to authorize the hiring of staff for the Board of Ethics. Currently, the Board does not have its own, independent, full-time staff, relying on the Department of Corporation Counsel.
“So just having a dedicated staff that understands the continuity and freedom from any appearance of a conflict of interest would be some of the upsides,” said Paltin.
A “yes” vote would allow the hiring of staff at an estimated cost of $1.1 million a year.
A “no” vote would keep the staffing as is.
2024 Proposed Maui County Charter Amendment QUESTION #3:
Shall the Charter be amended, effective July 1, 2025, to minimize the risk of vacancies
on boards and commissions generally, and specifically with regard to dedicated
seats for members residing in less populous areas, by allowing the appointment of
members of boards and commissions for two consecutive full terms or ten consecutive
years, whichever is greater?
The third charter amendment would extend the appointment of boards and commission members from one to two years.
“If they choose to serve a second term on the same board or commission, they would still go through the same nominating process,” explained Paltin. “Like, if they did a great job, they’d still go before the independent nomination board selected by the mayor and confirmed by the council.”
A “yes” vote would mean people could serve two consecutive terms.
A “no” vote keeps board and commission appointments at one term.