The Baton Rouge Metro Council is preparing for a major debate over employee pay raises as leaders question the long-term health of the city-parish budget.
Councilwoman Laurie White Adams discussed the proposal during a radio interview Tuesday morning. She said the current plan includes a 3.5% pay raise for city-parish employees. Officials are also reviewing pay scales after a compensation study showed many workers earn less than similar jobs in the private sector.
White Adams said some city-parish positions still start in the teens or low $20,000 range. She said those salaries make it hard to hire and keep workers.
Several council members want more answers before approving the raises.
White Adams said conservative council members prefer to see retirement and benefit reforms happen first. Leaders continue to study the city-parish retirement system and rising benefit costs.
She said the city-parish once paid benefit costs equal to nearly 78% of employee salaries. Officials lowered some costs by changing retiree health insurance plans and expanding Medicare Advantage participation.
White Adams also said the city-parish relied heavily on federal COVID-19 relief money in recent years. Leaders are now searching for long-term budget solutions instead of temporary funding.
The Metro Council plans to discuss the proposal during its upcoming meeting. White-Adams expects council members to ask many questions before taking a final vote.