Steve Bandy /Rayne Acadian-Tribune
By a 5-3 vote, the Acadia Parish Police Jury overruled a recommendation by the parish Rice Arena Board to grant a substantial pay raise to two employees at the Crowley-based Rice Arena.
In a letter to the jury dated Sept. 21, Greg Richard, board chairman, recommended promoting Melissa Fusilier to the position of director with an annual salary of $47,450, an increase of $16,260 over her current salary, or 52.1 percent. Manager Kermit Miller’s annual salary, under the recommendation would be raised to $47,649.94, up $7,547.54, or 18.8 percent per year.
“This is going to cut out all the overtime,” said Ronnie Fabacher in moving that the jury accept the recommendations.
However, Donna Bertrand, designated secretary-treasurer and parish human resources director, disagreed.
“Their positions do not qualify them as exempt (from overtime pay) by federal law,” she said. “If they work more than 80 hours in two weeks, we have to pay them overtime rates.”
David Savoy, president, pointed out that, under the board recommendations, Fusilier would be making $22.81 per hour while Miller would be paid $22.91 per hour.
“They could be making $60,000 a year,” said Robert Guidry, jury vice president. “Since they’re not exempt, there’s no limit to what they can make.”
Both Fusilier and Miller have long records of overtime at the Arena.
Chuck Broussard asked why Fusilier’s increase (52.1 percent) was so much more than Miller’s (18.8 percent).
Fusilier explained that she had undergone training to pass DHH regulations in order to operate the concession stand at the Arena and had also been certified in CPR.
Peggy Romero, budgeting director, told jurors that, in the past, whenever an employee would complete training for some type of certification, the customary pay increase was $1 per hour.
“To be fair to everyone, if any other employee becomes CDL certified, you’re looking at additional increases,” she said.
Put to a vote, Fabacher was joined by Danny Hebert and Jimmie Pellerin in voting for the increases.
Voting against were Broussard, Kerry Kilgore, Richard Faul, Guidry and Savoy.