There's a new development in the continued disagreement between the public auditor and port management over certain aspects of the settlements with seven reinstated employees.

The Port Board has ratified a new policy for the implementation of their back wages. But it side-steps a recommendation by the OPA, in favor of language submitted by management. Public Auditor BJ Cruz criticized the unsigned performance audits used to justify the maximum 5-percent increments awarded to the rehired employees.

"We pointed that out in the first audit that employee Q, he had two audits that hadn't been signed by the GM at the time that year that he was supposed to be signed," Cruz said. "And we found that in the personnel rules and regulations it explicitly says the supervisor shall do the performance evaluation and shall submit it to the general manager who will sign it and certify it."

Cruz said all he could do was to point out the flaws, but ultimately the final remedy was up to the Port Board of Directors. In this case they simply ratified new language that allows the incumbent GM to accept unsigned evaluations for purposes of reconstructing employees' back wages.

"We asked them to do something, they've done something. It might not be exactly what we wanted but at least it got ratification," he said. "And they now have a personnel rule and regulations amendment that gives them the authority to do this. I mean, it's most unfortunate, but it is what it is. I'm sorry."

Cruz estimates that the total cost of the salary increments for the seven employees will be about $3.5 million.