Baker council might raise per diem pay for its travelers
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BAKER — The city is preparing for Monday’s 10 a.m. grand opening of its new state-of-the-art fire station at Ewell Boulevard and Groom Road.
Fire Chief Danny Edwards told the Baker City Council on Tuesday night that furniture is being moved into the new building and landscaping is under way.
The city and Fire Department have been working on the $3.1 million project since 2005, he said.
Mayor Harold M. Rideau said the United States, Louisiana state and city of Baker flags will fly over the new station.
In other business, the council voted 4-1 to approve introduction of an ordinance by member Carlon “Frank” Simpson to study raising per diem meal expenses for council members and city employees when they travel to conferences and the like.
The city pays $45 per day, but Simpson said some cities allow as much as $75 per day for its meal per diem.
Simpson said the city has had a $45 per diem for the past 20 years and thought it was time for a change. She did not suggest an amount.
The mayor said he was “tight” with the city’s money and the increase had a great consequence because it would affect all city employees.
When it came to a vote, member Charles Vincent cast the lone vote against the motion. Council member A.J. Walls told Vincent that Vincent was the one to benefit most from the increase because of his frequent travels.
Prior to the vote, however, Vincent said he carefully studied and prayed over the issues brought before the town.
Voting in favor of the introduction were members Simpson, Walls, Jimmy Pourciau and Fred O. Russell.
In another matter, the council also approved a newly revised lease agreement for the city’s municipal center.
Legal adviser Ronald Wall said the new lease has little change, only the language has been made more specific.
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