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Iowa, La., council approves multiple police promotions; chief requests budget amendment
Summary
At its Jan. 13 meeting, the Town of Iowa council unanimously approved six police promotions recommended by Chief Keith Vincent and acknowledged a letter requesting a budget amendment after the police department exceeded 5% of its budgeted expenditures; the chief said he raised starting pay to $17.95 per hour.
Mayor Pro-Tempore Joe Becnel and the Town Council of Iowa, La., unanimously approved a slate of promotions in the police department on Jan. 13 and heard a budget amendment request from the police chief.
Chief of Police Keith Vincent recommended six promotions and the council approved each by motion. The council approved promotion of Kristi Juarez from SSG to lieutenant (moved by Daniel Hennigan, seconded by Julie Fontenot); Rodney Daigle from sergeant to staff sergeant (moved by Julie Fontenot, seconded by Daniel Hennigan); Brandon Guillory from corporal to detective sergeant (moved by Julie Fontenot, seconded by Vernessa Guillory); Jeanine Dugas from police field corporal (PFC) to corporal (moved by Daniel Hennigan, seconded by Julie Fontenot); and Amy Henry to assistant communications supervisor and communications field training officer (moved by Daniel Hennigan, seconded by Julie Fontenot). Each motion passed unanimously.
Chief Vincent also withdrew a request to hire Remember LaFleur as a part-time dispatcher. He told the council he had submitted the letter required when an elected chief exceeds 5% of budgeted expenditures and formally requested that the Iowa Police Department 2024–2025 budget be amended. "I increased the starting pay of the officers to $17.95 per hour, the same as Westlake," Chief Vincent said, explaining part of the budget shift. He said he will prepare a report, before the start of the next budget year, outlining departmental needs and a detailed cost breakdown.
Council Member Daniel Hennigan asked whether an amendment is required when an individual department exceeds the 5% threshold or only if the General Fund exceeds 5%; Town Attorney Eugene Bouquet advised that the Legislative Auditor's Office would be the best source for the definitive answer. The council acknowledged the chief's advisement; no vote to amend the budget was recorded at the meeting.
The council took no further action on the budget request at the Jan. 13 meeting.
