9/21/05
Final arrangements are being made for the details of the assignment. Salary negotiations are in progress. Discussions about options of being a consultant vs. an employee. Lots of Tax considerations. It seems there isn't much leeway in USAID rules to increase consultant compensation to offset leave, and benefit costs. ... let alone FICA and Medicare taxes. Looks like being an employee may be more advantageous.

We're exploring being a consultant for first 6 weeks so travel to and from can be covered since we want to return home the end of December to take care of personal business; returning in early January as an employee so the travel is covered again. We will discuss this with ICMA next week at the conference.

Had dinner with a local Portland man who was raised in Sri Lanka. We had great hopes of getting some insight into the country and learn a little about language and some simple greetings. Turns out he hasn't lived there in more than 25 years and has forgotten more than he remembers. We had a very pleasant meal, but didn't learn much about the country.