Opelousas Mayor Seeks $9,000 A Year Pay Increase

OPELOUSAS, La. (AP) — The Opelousas Board of Aldermen has voted 4-2 to take the first step in boosting Mayor Reggie Tatum's salary by $9,000 a year.

Tatum is paid about $66,000 a year, which is less than the $71,000 a year paid to former Mayor Donald Cravins Sr., whom Tatum defeated in the Dec. 6 runoff election.

If the board approves his salary request, Tatum, who's been in office only four months, would be paid $4,000 a year more than Cravins had been paid before the two-term mayor left office.

A public hearing on the proposed ordinance amendment approved Thursday will be held at the board's meeting next month. Following that hearing, the board will decide whether to approve the raise.