Pointe Coupee Jury Votes To Keep Pay Raise

The Pointe Coupee Police Jury has voted 10-2 to beat back an attempt by one juror to rescind a 3 percent pay increase given to parish employees for the 2011 fiscal year.

The Advocate reports Police Juror Kurt Jarreau ticked off a list of reasons Tuesday night why he thinks the pay raise is "irresponsible" and exemplifies "poor budget management."

He says sales tax revenues are down $500,000 since 2006, and parish residents have been asked to pay an extra $1.50 in monthly fees to help offset a $180,000 shortfall in the parish's solid waste budget.

Juror Janet Vosburg took exception to Jarreau's motion to rescind the pay raises.

Vosburg said the parish accountant had informed jurors the parish could afford the pay raises.