Turkey Creek Village Council talks pay raise for Police Chief Leggett

By: HEATHER BOGARD
Lifestyles Editor

TURKEY CREEK - The Turkey Creek Village Council, during the board’s August 18 regular meeting, heard a request for a pay raise from Police Chief Robert Glenn Leggett.
Leggett noted that he has been trying to find help to no avail and is working 50-60 hours each week. He said he doesn’t mind the hours because he is used to working those kinds of hours. However, he wished to be paid accordingly. He said he does not receive supplemental income because he has not completed the three-month course required.
In addition to the course, he would have to wait one year to be eligible to receive the supplemental income and then keep up with the continuing education courses.
Mayor Heather Cloud stated that Leggett has been doing an excellent job for the village, but wanted it noted that previous chief Brad Wilson, who made the same amount, also requested a pay raise and was denied due to lack of funds in the budget. Leggett noted that the village is doing well in the collections department and could afford the increase to his salary.
However, Cloud said that, for example, the next chief comes in and does not do as good of a job, the bills and other expenses would still need to be covered. She said the set salary was allocated in the fiscal budget and if the police department funds are short, the balance comes from the water system funds. She added that in the past, the water funds have been drained to help fund the police department. As a  result, an increase to the water rates would have to be implemented.
Cloud said that any salary increase given to any elected official must be well thought out and cautiously made. After much discussion, the mayor and council entered an executive session to further discuss the personnel issue. After exiting the executive session, the council announced no action had been taken at this time on the issue of Leggett’s  request.
Cloud discussed the importance of a water protection ordinance to protect the village’s residents from contaminated drinking water. Under the ordinance, any landfill or other structure would be required to be at least 1,000 feet from the well. Right now, with no law in place, the council has no legal leg to stand on to protect the drinking water for the residents. This ordinance will give the council the ability to better protect the village’s drinking water for the residents. The ordinance was introduced and a public hearing will be held on the issue prior to next month’s council meeting.
The mayor and council members debated about the implementation of an inmate labor program to help with the maintenance of the village, including trash pick up, weeding, cleaning the community center and more. The council currently pays two people $300-$400 each week to handle those tasks throughout the village.
Cloud and the council members expressed great concern about the safety of the residents and liability that comes with utilizing inmate labor. Council member Neal King said he didn’t think it would be feasible with the costs of transportation, food and liability.
Leggett agreed, noting that inmate labor was used in the past but discontinued due to drug-related issues. Leggett suggested the feasibility of using community service for young teens with tickets, such as driving violations. Cloud reiterated the liability issue and said it could be done, but the village would have to be careful what jobs the community service was issued for. The council unanimously agreed that inmate labor was not the route they wished to utilize at this time.
Allan Manuel addressed Cloud and the council members about the possibility of working together to hold an event for Veteran’s Day, Wednesday, November 11. He commended Cloud for the excellent job she is doing as mayor but stated that the veterans of the area need to be honored and recognized.
Manuel stated there are a lot of veterans from the Turkey Creek/Bayou Chicot/Pine Prairie area, including council member Kurry Stewart. Manuel suggested some kind of event with a guest speaker be held for Veteran’s Day and asked for the council’s suggestions and support in putting the event together.
Cloud and the council members thanked him for suggesting this and they will work together to host a service for the area’s veterans on Veteran’s Day in November. Some of the ideas mentioned were getting Col. Ben Soileau to speak, as well as a 97-year-old veteran from the Lake Cove area. They also will try to get high school bands to perform and serve some type of barbecue meal.
In other business, the council:
•Approved expenditures for the month of July.
•Approved utility adjustments.
•Heard the financial report from Village Clerk Melissa Ferguson.