Breaux Bridge salary hikes questioned

City Councilman Neil “Sam” Melancon is questioning whether the council here followed the proper procedure in approving raises for the city’s elected officials at its Sept. 12 meeting.
    The council approved amendments to the 2023-24 budget granting  salary increases for the mayor, police chief, city clerk and themselves, but Melancon says the Lawrason Act mandates that any changes in compensation of “the mayor, aldermen, clerk, chief of police, and all other municipal officers ... shall be by ordinance ...”
    This normally requires introducing a properly titled ordinance during a meeting and then bringing it up for consideration at a subsequent meeting.
    But when contacted Monday Mayor Ricky Calais commented that the action taken at the Sept. 12 meeting involved amending the budget and was done by adopting a suitable ordinance.
    Those receiving salary hikes included Mayor Calais, Police Chief Buz LeBlanc, the five council members and City Clerk Kristi LeBlanc.
    Mayor Calais’ salary was increased by 7%, going from $67,500 per year to $72,225 while Chief LeBlanc was granted a 3% hike that will raise his salary from $62,000 to $63,860 annually.
    The five council members, who were paid $850 per month, will see an increase to $1,100, a 30% hike.