Raises Debated As Lafourche Budget Vote Nears

THIBODAUX, La. (AP) — The Lafourche Parish Council will decide Tuesday whether to approve a budget for next year that calls for spending $2.4 million on a 4 percent pay raise for employees.

Parish President Charlotte Randolph's proposed budget would also eliminate the Parish Council's legislative auditor position, along with a related clerk's job. And it would spend about $9.3 million on roadwork and other construction projects.

he council will meet at the Mathews Government Complex.

The parish expects to bring in about $55.3 million next year while spending about $68 million. It would make up the difference by using its surplus, which would drop from $47 million Jan. 1 to about $33 million by year's end.