Port commission creates COO selection committee, rescinds prior recruiter contract and approves staff-policy updates and a 1% COLA
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Summary
The commission rescinded an earlier hiring-agency authorization, authorized use of a different recruitment agency, formed a committee to select a chief operating officer, approved operations and ferry-communications policy updates, and authorized a 1% cost-of-living pay increase for 2026 (estimated $54,314).
The Plaquemines Parish Council approved a package of governance, personnel and operational measures that included rescinding a previous hiring-agency authorization, creating a committee to select a chief operating officer and adopting several policy updates.
On recruitment, the commission approved a resolution rescinding Resolution 26-80 (which had authorized the retention of one recruitment firm) and authorized the chairman to retain a different agency; the meeting discussion referenced Ogden as the recommended firm and an estimated search cost structure tied to candidate salary. Commissioners asked for clarified qualifications and for the committee to review residency, venue and candidate count before finalizing search parameters.
The commission also created a port committee to select a chief operating officer. Staff described a committee composition that will include the port chair, vice chair, one commissioner (initially named as Commissioner Schultz for the committee), two port staff representatives (HR and legal), and an expectation that the committee will narrow candidates to three finalists. The full commission would review finalists — potentially in executive session — and an appointment would require six votes.
On operations policy, commissioners adopted amendments tightening some workplace rules (including a policy that will apply to vehicles on port premises) and updated ferry communications procedures for major service reductions. Commissioners and members of the public discussed drug- and alcohol-related policy enforcement and whether Narcan should be available on ferries; staff said the FTA-funded programs require strict compliance and that Narcan availability on vessels would require training and operational plans.
The commission also passed a resolution authorizing a 1% cost-of-living increase for classified employees and to issue the 2026 budgeted 1% pay increase to classified and nonclassified employees; staff estimated a $54,314 budget impact and said a budget amendment will be prepared.
Why it matters: the personnel and policy approvals shape recruitment, workplace rules and near-term operating costs for port staff. Creating a selection committee centralizes the hiring process and the rescission and reauthorization of recruitment services changes procurement for a senior hire.
Next steps: committee to vet candidates, staff to provide the final resumes to commissioners for review, administration to prepare the required budget amendment for the 1% increase and to provide additional details on the recruiter engagement.