City, union to detail paramedics’ hours

Officials with the city have apparently reached an agreement with the United Public Workers union that would allow paramedics and emergency medical technicians to work longer, four-day weeks.

The plan is designed to help with staff shortage issues the Department of Emergency Services has had in recent months. Some Emergency Medical Services Division stations have been forced to shut down for certain weekend shifts due to shortages.

Mayor Kirk Caldwell and UPW officials are expected to provide details at a news conference Tuesday morning.

EMS employs about 200 emergency service workers on Oahu. Under a pilot project that the city and union have been hashing out for several months, most of the shifts for paramedics and EMTs will be converted to 12 hours from eight hours. The shift is expected to reduce the amount of overtime EMS workers are being required to work and keep them more alert and happier, city officials said previously.

The city has been paying about $5 million annually in overtime to EMS workers.

Kauai staff will explain changes to taxpayers

The Kauai County Real Property Assessment Division is offering assistance to residents who want to understand changes to their real property tax bills.

"We’ve taken literally hundreds of inquiries over the past three weeks and have explained to each taxpayer in great detail why their taxes may have increased," said Finance Director Steven A. Hunt in a news release. "Due to a variety of changes that are going into effect this year, each circumstance is unique and is best explained one on one."

Personnel are available during business hours at the Kapule Building at the Lihue Civic Center or by phone at 241-4224. For those who can’t make it during a workday, real property staff will schedule an appointment after hours.

Hunt said questions should be posed as soon as possible, since some relief programs have an application deadline of Sept. 30.