Pay Cuts considered for Opelousas Mayor, Aldermen

Could the pay of the mayor and alderman in Opelousas be lowered?  The Opelousas Board of Alderman has introduced an ordinance to amend or even lower salaries.

The proposed ordinance was introduced by alderman on a 4-2 vote.  It now goes to the Finance Committee.

The committee will have a month to discuss the issue of compensation, and then they will come back with suggestions before the issue is voted on by the board in November.

Mayor Donald Cravins says he and the alderman have been approached by citizens and city workers to re-examine their pay since there have been cuts that have been made to many of the city department's operating budgets.

Cravins is suggesting that his salary be reduced from $72,000 to $52,000.