Commissioners appoint interim director, authorize executive search and amend appointing authority

The Plaquemines Parish Council, acting in its role as the port governing authority, considered several governance and personnel measures and approved a package of administrative actions.

A resolution appointing Patrice Bell as interim port director was introduced and read as part of a set of administrative items. The board also approved a separate resolution authorizing the interim executive director to enter into contracts and documents previously authorized to the former executive director, and later voted to retain an employment agency to begin a global search for a new executive port director; the firm named in the motion was Jay Harden and the retention passed by recorded vote.

Commissioners approved a set of routine but consequential administrative resolutions — including authorizing signatories on port bank accounts at Hancock Whitney Bank and Regions Bank — and an ordinance amending the port’s appointing authority (Ordinance No. 12-11) so that the acting executive director has explicit authority for hiring, firing and discipline. Commissioners debated whether an interim executive director should be appointed from outside the port or from current staff before passing the amendment (the ordinance passed with six ayes and one nay).

The board also amended and approved an ordinance adjusting the 2026 manpower structure and operating budget to provide merit increases and a 4% salary increase for unclassified employees; commissioners added a 1% cost-of-living increase for classified employees as an amendment and passed the ordinance as amended.

Throughout those votes, commissioners asked for clarifications on vetting procedures for executive-level hires and requested that staff provide a written breakdown of budget numbers where reports appeared to show inconsistent figures.