Jefferson Parish council votes to advertise for PR firm to summarize firefighters pay study after heated debate

The Jefferson Parish Council on Aug. 20 voted to advertise for statements of qualifications from firms to prepare an informational campaign about the East Bank consolidated fire department pay plan, igniting a sharp divide among council members and lengthy public comment from firefighters and union representatives.

Supporters of the measure, including Councilmen Bonanno and Rosenberg and Councilwoman Bohannon, told the council that the parish paid for an extensive pay study — described in the meeting as a 369‑page document — and that local voters and taxpayers deserve a concise, factual explanation of what the study found and what the fiscal consequences would be for pay changes. Bohannon said parish staff and employees have been targeted on social media and that an objective outside firm can produce a clear, vetted fact sheet for the public.

"The public paid for this report. The public has every right to know exactly what's in it," Bohannon said during debate.

Opponents argued that the parish Public Information Office or the parish attorney could present factual information without an outside contract and cautioned against hiring a firm that could be perceived as using public dollars to ‘‘spin’’ or advocate an outcome. Several council members urged posting salary breakdowns and relevant pay components directly to the parish website at no cost. Councilman Kerner said he supported transparency but opposed outside spending when in‑house options may suffice.

The motion to defer consideration of the item failed. The council then adopted a joint motion to approve advertising for qualifications for a PR firm. A roll call vote recorded: Councilman Kerner — yes; Councilman Bonanno — yes; Councilman Lee — yes; Councilman Walker — no; Councilwoman Van Reinking — no; Councilwoman Bohannon — yes; Councilman Rosenberg — yes. The motion passed.

The measure authorizes advertising for a firm to prepare an informational campaign; if the parish later selects a vendor, the contract and its cost would have to be brought back to the council for approval. Supporters said the firm would work with finance staff and the parish attorney to verify numbers before publication; the parish attorney said the office would review materials before release.

Public comment at the meeting was dominated by firefighters, union leaders and supporters who pressed for higher starting pay and warned that recruitment and retention are at risk. Firefighters disputed social‑media characterizations of pay and urged the council to use available funds to raise wages rather than pay for outside communications. Multiple speakers described long schedules, health risks, and large differences between first‑year base pay and total annual compensation driven by overtime and supplemental pay.

Council members and union leaders said negotiations and fact‑finding discussions will continue; supporters of the solicitation said it would only make the pay‑study facts more accessible to the public. The council’s adoption of the advertising authorization begins a procurement process; any contract would require later council action.