[StBernard] St. Bernard Parish Council housing plan drawing fire

[Westley Annis]

No problem, if the current council member want a high paying salary like in
those other parishes where the pay is higher, then let's make sure they have
to follow the same rules and procedures as with those other parishes: (1)
those council positions are FULL TIME positions and (2) those council member
who own a business must separate themselves from any capacity in running any
business they own.

This means council members will have to show up in their offices everyday
(Monday thru Friday) from 8 AM until 4:30 PM.  They are off only for the
same holidays as regular parish employees.  This means those council members
who practice law will not be able to do so since they'll be in their council
office all the time during regular business hours, and the same goes for any
council member who normally runs his own business.

In case you're wondering, this IS the way it is with those other parishes
with high council salaries.  I know, I worked in Plaquemines for 4 years as
Benny Rousselle's right hand and I'm very familiar with the Plaquemines
charter and several members of the Plaquemines Parish Council - past and
present.

I also suggest Council members have to "punch in" using a time card - if
they want to go to this higher pay/full time thing.

Let's make sure this goes to a vote of the people.  I just love it when
people are elected to a given office knowing well what the current rules
are, then in mid-game they want to change the rules to their personal
benefit...don't you?

John Scurich  

 

-----Original Message-----
Other Charter Amendments Proposed for November 15, 2009 Special Election:
(for a list of links to public notices go to
http://www.neighborsandneighborhood.blogspot.com/    )
 
1.  Allow Councilmembers to sit on other Boards and Commissions so long as
they do not receive compensation
 
 
2.  $5 per month water bill fee (initially introduced for revenue
shortfalls, now public noticed as Fire Protection Fee)
 
 
3.  Council Pay Raise from $7,200 annually to approximately $33,000 (average
of regional parishes)
 
The salary of the council members shall be established as an average...from
Plaquemines, St Charles, Jefferson, St Tammany, and Orleans...shall be
adjusted, if necessary, once at the start of each council term.
 
There is no information on the basis of the average or what the average
would be. If other parishes receive a pay raise, the basis would likely
increase.
 
Annual St Bernard Council compensation now is $7,200 for district members
and $8,400 for members at large. Pay increase to $33,000 a year based on
these estimates would be approximate $25,800 yearly pay raise and a total
budget increase for all 7 members of about $175,000.
    Currently, other Council Compensations are approximately:  Orleans
($42,500), Jefferson ($62,042), St Charles ($12,780), St. Tammany($12,300)
and Plaquemines (est. $37,588), Based on these, then the pay would be
somewhere in the $33,000 per year range. Some of these positions are
permanent. Others are part time. St Bernard Parish Council is part time.
The Plaquemines Council make 1/3 of the annual salary of the 25th Judicial
Judges which is approximately $112,764.
That's not a bad raise from $8,400 to $33,000. It's about 392% 

 
4.  Parish President Pay Raise from $70,000 to $138,000 (or the CAO salary
of $115,000 plust 20%).  Does anyone know if the Police Jury had both a CAO
and a Finance Director?  Does anyone know what the current Finance Director
's salary is?
 
 
5.  Change Qualifications of: 
 
CAO
Finance Director
Dept of Planning, Zoning, Permits and Safety Dept of Parks and Recreation
and Culture and Tourism Change Name Dept Personnel to Dept Human Resources