The city of Shreveport is not a business per se.
But every barstool critic says, “Government should be run like a business.”
The city’s budget is NOT a half-billion dollars.
But in relevant terms it is pretty close -- over $480 million.
And the city does NOT have a Chief Executive Officer (CEO). But it does have a Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) appointed by the mayor.
So what should the mayor of the state’s third largest city be paid?
Should the mayor be paid more than all the city’s department heads?
Should Shreveport’s mayor be paid more than the mayor of Monroe ($141,000)?
How about more than the mayor of Lafayette ($125,385)?
Shreveport’s mayor is currently paid $96,000.
That’s a tad more than the mayor of Bossier City ($94,000).
It’s a question the Shreveport City Council will address at its next meeting on April 27.
Any pay raise is NOT effective until the next mayor is elected.
Contrary to the water cooler/social media talk, Shreveport Mayor Adrian Perkins did NOT introduce this proposed pay increase.
The ordinance is sponsored by Councilman John Nickelson and Jerry Bowman , Jr.
John came to Shreveport in January of 1977 when he was transferred to Barksdale AFB.
He’s been active in Shreveport politics since deciding to make Shreveport his home.
John practiced law for 40 years and he now monitors local politics. He regularly attends Shreveport City Council and Caddo Parish Commission meetings.
John is published weekly in The Inquisitor, bi-monthly in The Forum News, and frequently in the Shreveport Times.
He enjoys addressing civic groups on local government issues and elections.