Controversy Erupts in Bossier City Council Over Pay Raises

Controversy Erupts in Bossier City Council Over Pay Raises

Bossier City, a cozy hub filled with its fair share of southern charm, finds itself at the center of a political storm as city councilmember David Montgomery has deftly blocked Mayor Tommy Chandler‘s proposed budget aimed at raising wages for municipal workers, police, and firefighters. The council met this past Tuesday, and tensions were high in the room.

The Missing Councilmember and Key Budget Meetings

Montgomery, who managed to skip out on a crucial budget workshop a month back, unexpectedly threw a wrench into the mayor’s plans when he proposed his own pay raise strategy. Initially, the Mayor’s budget was based on an extensive salary study, presented to the council by Chief Administrative Officer Amanda Nottingham on October 8. Nottingham laid out a plan for a whopping $2,558,958 in salary increases across all city departments, including the state-mandated 2% hike for civil service, fire, and police personnel.

What the Mayor Proposed

Nottingham enthusiastically detailed the adjustments, emphasizing a focus on narrowing pay gaps among first responders. “The adjustments to police pay would give them an increase of approximately 10%,” she stated, explaining that this would not only raise salaries but also express gratitude for their service. She added that each firefighter would enjoy a one-time pay bump of $4,000 in 2025, reflecting a sincere commitment from the city.

However, Montgomery was not buying into the administration’s well-laid plans. He suggested instead a blanket $500 per month raise for all employees, totaling an offhand estimate of $5.5 million. The catch? He offered no concrete plan for recurring revenue to fund such a hefty request.

Reaction from Fellow Councilmembers

Montgomery’s proposal didn’t sit well with some council members. Brian Hammons, one of the more skeptical voices on the council, questioned the sustainability of Montgomery’s plan. “We’re going to have to lay people off or raise taxes if this goes through,” Hammons remarked, voicing concerns that an across-the-board increase would ignore existing pay disparities within city employees.

A Clashing of Ideas and Heated Exchanges

As discussions heated up, other council members like Chris Smith began to challenge Montgomery’s assertions. “This proposal is missing any basic understanding of accounting,” he said, expressing concerns about its negative impact on the city’s budget a few years down the line. The room crackled with tension as voices were raised, and it quickly turned into a substantial debate regarding the best path forward.

“I mean, was there a budget meeting that I missed?” Hammons queried, alluding to the disregard shown by Montgomery for the earlier workshop that could have spared the current chaos. Montgomery defended his absence, passionately stating, “We’re supposed to cancel our lives?”

Chiefs Weigh In

The conversation took another turn when Police Chief Daniel Haugen and Fire Chief Brad Zagone weighed in against Montgomery’s proposal. Both argued that blanket raises could disrupt the structured pay ranks within their departments, ultimately widening existing pay gaps.

Captain Sean Culver of the Bossier City Police Department brought valuable insights into the discussion, recalling past efforts for raises when the city’s finances were less favorable. “For the last two and a half years, there’s been no money for raises,” he noted, further questioning the sudden availability of funds.

Final Decisions Looming

Nevertheless, despite the chaos and critiques, Montgomery’s amendments to the budget were eventually passed. A final vote is slated for the council’s next meeting in two weeks, leaving city employees hanging in the balance as the debate continues.

As Bossier City teeters on the brink of decision-making, residents and officials alike wait with bated breath to see how these outcomes will shape the future of the city’s workforce.