Next mayor’s pay may go up

The Bogalusa City Council Finance Committee will introduce an ordinance early next month that would increase the base pay for the next and subsequent incoming mayors.

City Council President and Finance Committee Chair Wendy Perrette broached the subject during a recent regular council meeting.

Sitting mayors get regular pay increases, but whenever a new mayor takes office, the salary reverts back to a base rate of pay established in the city charter and amended over time through ordinance.

The rate is currently $35,000 to $40,000.

“That’s really low for somebody who is expected to do the job full time,” said Perrette.

She suggested increasing the base salary to the amount the sitting mayor is currently earning, which is close to $50,000.

“The way it is, the mayor’s salary goes back down,” said Perrette. “It would be less than some department heads make now.” 

A higher salary could attract more qualified mayoral candidates, she said.

According to the charter, salary adjustments are not allowed during the last year of a term in office, and the current mayoral term will enter its final year in early December.

Additionally, ordinance procedure dictates that an item must be introduced before a public hearing can be held and action taken.

The council is scheduled to meet Nov. 3 and Nov. 17.