Metropolitan Council approves pay‑plan amendment after hours of testimony; vote 10‑1

The Metropolitan Council of East Baton Rouge Parish voted on May 13 to approve an amendment to the 2026 pay plan that implements market‑based adjustments intended to raise minimum pay and reduce turnover among city‑parish employees.

Public testimony before the vote was lengthy and nearly unanimous in support. Frontline employees, union representatives and department leaders described starting wages as low as about $10.50 an hour for some classifications and urged the council to approve the changes to retain staff. "We hire laborers for $10.50 an hour... They deserve to be paid a fair wage," said Robert Joyner, a city employee who urged the council to consider how an $8 million change fits into the broader budget. Deputy Chief Sharon Douglas, speaking for civilian police employees, said the department is "truly, truly grateful, but as you can see, we're not done yet," and urged the council to approve raises for remaining civilian staff.

The administration presented the pay study and funding plan during the meeting. Chris Hall Snyder, a chief adviser to the mayor, said the proposal follows a consultant study and is part of a "total strategic workforce realignment." Snyder told the council the plan would free about $4.6 million by limiting or freezing roughly 100 currently funded but vacant positions and that the annual cost of the raise is approximately $4.4 million out of the general fund. "This is a start," Snyder said of the market correction; he described the change as a structured step toward bringing many low‑paid positions closer to market rates.

Council debate focused on process, pension liabilities and whether the vacancy‑freeze funding approach protects long‑term benefits for current employees. Councilwoman Rocca pressed for assurances about unfunded actuarial liabilities and preserving retirement benefits for long‑tenured employees; she walked council through several actuarial figures showing historical growth in the pension unfunded liability. Council members acknowledged those concerns while arguing the immediate risk of continuing high turnover warranted action.

Councilman Anthony Kenny moved to approve the pay‑plan amendment and Councilwoman Coleman seconded. After debate and a roll‑call vote the motion carried, with Councilman Hudson recording the sole “no” vote; the council recorded affirmative votes from Councilmembers Godet, Adams, Dunn Jr., Hurst, Rocca, Noel, Amoroso, Coleman, Kenny and Harris.

What the ordinance does and what happens next

The approved amendment implements the consultant recommendations to raise pay (a minimum base adjustment and placement on a new pay scale) and begins changes effective in late June. The administration said this is a first step within a multi‑year effort that will include additional workforce and benefit reforms. Council members and administration staff said further work on retirement and health‑benefit structures and continued attention to budgetary impacts will follow.

The council concluded by directing staff to move forward consistent with the approved ordinance; no additional immediate amendments were added on the floor. The next scheduled council meeting will include follow‑up budget and personnel items related to implementation.