I'm uncomfortable with the idea that post count solely attributes to receiving a rank that declares one a respected member or an expert. Actual respect and expertise are the only things that should qualify someone to be labelled as such. Applying those terms based on quantity, and not quality does them a disservice, and the people who genuinely deserve them.
If you must display milestones of respect, at least base them on thanks received, and do not mix it with expertise. No one should feel compelled to post rubbish to hit a milestone.
You also have the option of disabling the rank system. It sounds unthinkable but it may be very beneficial. A few years ago, whilst running a vB community I did that, and removed the display of post counts from forum posts. We were building a community where posters focused on genuinely useful, meaningful and interesting discussion, so felt that the public display of such statistics would influence users to post rubbish to get their numbers up. We kept the built-in vB respect system to give users a quick way to show their appreciation without having to post. Real respect was earned from posting well, and the rivers ran with milk and honey, and the grass was made of chocolate, and... so on.
At the moment, the changes feel a bit hit or miss. You staff could sit down and have a chat, put some ideas across the table and give serious thought to culling things that just get in the way. Take a look at the way other discussion systems work, consider how a community of mappers would be best served in the future. Then maybe have a public discussion, asking for ideas and opinions. Then try things out and settle on what's best.
Matty
