Baton Rouge Metro Council Meeting - May 13, 2026

The Baton Rouge Metro Council held a regular meeting on May 13, 2026, preceded by a recognition ceremony. The main agenda item was a proposal to amend the 2026 pay plan for city-parish employees, including constables, public works, and other staff, with an average 3.5% increase and implementation of a market-based pay study. After extensive public testimony and council debate, the measure was approved 10-1, with Councilman Hudson voting against. The council also voted to delete a mowing contract with the state due to a funding deficit, and approved various other items.

Consent Calendar

• Approval of minutes from April 22 and April 30, 2026 meetings.
• Introductions of items 2-16 (including police vehicle purchases, cooperative endeavor agreements, sewer fee refunds, property maintenance fines, engineering services, tax payments, condemnations, and adjudicated properties) were read and approved.
• Items 36-45: Timeframes set for public hearings; items 39, 40, 41 deleted.
• Items 47-48: Deleted.
• Item 49: Deferred for two weeks.
• Item 50: Deleted.
• Item 51: Deleted.
• Items 52-68: Approved (including airport services, mosquito abatement tax election, data center UDC review, various contracts, settlements, change orders).
• Items 69-71: Appointments approved except item 70 (deferred).
• Items 72-74: Change orders approved.
• Item 76: Landscape maintenance contract approved.
• Item 77: Perkins Road overpass contract approved.
• Item 78: Emergency lease agreement approved.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Ben Klein: Expressed support for pay raises but raised concerns about fiscal responsibility and oversight of federal grants, citing a 2024 internal audit and specific projects (Hughes Consultant Group, Housing for Heroes, Healthy City initiative). Urged the city to account for repayment of misspent funds.
• Robert Joyner: Supported the pay amendment, noting that current wages ($10.50–$14.75/hr) are below Walmart and Amazon, leading to high turnover and unfilled positions.
• Constable's Office Representatives (multiple speakers): Argued that constables are law enforcement performing critical duties (serving warrants, court security, jail transport, fugitive arrests) and deserve equitable pay. Cited low wages, understaffing, and difficulty retaining officers.
• Cindy Pennington (Traffic Engineering): Stated traffic engineering employees earn $12/hour, work emergencies (hurricanes, floods, ice storms) without extra pay, and have lost 4 people in two weeks. Urged approval to retain experienced staff.
• Trevor Heap (Traffic Engineer): Noted eight engineers have left in his eight years; he is considering leaving due to pay. Supported raises to compete with other departments.
• Lloyd Permaul (AFSCME): Argued that the selective approach (police raises approved April 22, others delayed) is unfair. Urged equal treatment for all public servants.
• Eugene Smith (DPW): Described the critical role of complaint investigators and noted that maintenance workers earn $10.74/hour. Asked for support.
• Deputy Chief Sharon Douglas (BRPD): Stated 73 civilian BRPD employees were not included in police raises; some live in poverty and work multiple jobs. Urged approval.
• Sergeant Pat Tozan (Constable's Office): Served 52 years; emphasized constables do law enforcement work and need a raise to stay competitive.
• Sergeant Mark Buller (Constable's Office): Detailed duties of jail division, including transport, security, and dispatch. Said the office is understaffed and underpaid.
• Dustin Conde (Baton Rouge Union of Police): Read a letter supporting raises for all city employees, calling it a necessary investment.
• Jacqueline Lindell Germany (Retired employee): Asked for consideration of retirees and noted that lowest-paid workers need the most help.
• Harold Greer (AFSME Local 3030): Urged the council to keep its word and approve raises.
• Sergeant Lee (Constable's Office): Asked for raise to improve recruitment and retention.
• Captain Brian Furman (Constable's Office): Longest-serving employee (27 years); said low pay forces deputies to work overtime, missing family events.
• Judge Ebadman's Phil Alexander (Chief Judge, Baton Rouge City Court): Noted staff has shrunk from 150 to 57; employees work multiple jobs. Urged passage.
• Hagar Brown (DPW, 23 years): Said she fears retiring on an unlivable wage; works for the city as a single mother.
• Marion Bloom: Criticized lack of funds for youth programs while giving raises to law enforcement; threatened a recall.
• Aaron Brent (DPW, age 69): Works three jobs; pleaded for a raise to make city jobs worthwhile.
• Byron Davison (DPW): Said surrounding parishes pay more; urged the city to become the top payer in the state.

Discussion Items

• Item 46 - Pay Plan Amendment: The mayor's office presented the proposal as a market correction based on the 2023 MAG study, moving from 45% to 65% of market value. The average raise is 3.5%, but some employees will get more. Funding comes from freezing approximately 100 vacant funded positions, saving $4.6 million annually, with annual cost of $4.4 million. The mayor emphasized this is a