Jennings Council Approves Pay Raises, Water Rate Increases

(KPEL) -- City workers in Jennings will get a pay increase while residents in the city will have to pay more for water services.

The Jennings City Council approved a 2 percent pay raise for most city workers. The increases will be give to more than 120 full-time workers and some part-time workers, according to Mayor Terry Duhon. The raises will cost the city $230,000, Duhon says.

Police and firefighters will also get a state-mandated 2 percent pay increase.

"We are very happy to continue to be able to do pay raises," council president Stevie VanHook says. "We do everything we can in the budget to continue to provide the pay raises and benefits."

The council also approved a 5.2 percent rate increase for water, sewage, and trash services. Duhon says the increases will range from $1.50 to $2 for most customers. Customers who use more water would see a higher rate, he says.