Parish manager’s pay set

CLINTON — The East Feliciana Parish Police Jury’s Personnel Committee voted Wednesday to recommend a salary of $55,000 for the new parish manager.

The jury hired Hollis Glen Kent Jr. on July 2 to succeed Parish Manager Judith Kelly, who is retiring in September after more than 30 years as a jury employee.

The committee also recommended a benefits package that includes retirement, insurance, two weeks’ vacation, a week of sick leave and three days of funeral leave.

Jackson Juror Dwight Hill told the committee that the parish manager’s job is similar to that of a corporation’s chief executive officer, rather than that of an hourly or even salaried employee.

Kent told jurors he was committed to 3½ years of dedicated work with the parish, but like the elected jurors, his tenure is at the discretion of the elected members every four years.

Kent said he may have to take time off without pay because of family health matters, but Juror Larry Beauchamp said that would be part of the benefits package.

Kent also suggested that jurors consider “down the road” reducing his hours and salary to bring in a “No. 2 person.” Kent said this is a good business practice to always have a person ready to take over operations without any down time.

Chairman Edward Brooks told Kent the information about an assistant is “good to know,” however, Brooks said, Kent should have told that to jurors when he was interviewed for the post.