LAFAYETTE, La. (AP) - A Louisiana city council has approved a $3.8 million pay increase for police officers, raising starting pay from $34,600 to $40,000.
News outlets report Lafayette City-Parish Council unanimously approved the increase Tuesday for all Lafayette officers, except the chief. The department requested the raise to keep officers from leaving in search of better pay.
Mayor-President Joel Robideaux previously said the entire $3.8 million won’t be taken from the state’s general fund.
Chief Financial Officer Lorrie Toups says the 2019-20 budget is already expected to use more than $11 million from the savings.
The council also introduced a pay increase ordinance for firefighters and Consolidated Government employees. The council is expected to vote on Nov. 19.
Toups says the combined increase would cost $7.3 million, depleting the general fund by 2023.
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