By Marilyn Miller
Cost of Living pay adjustments for the employees of the Village of Dixie Inn were doubled by the Board of Aldermen in a Special Session on Friday, Aug. 4, 2023. The last COL increase of two percent was established in 2009 under Ordinance 71i. As of last Friday, employees will receive a four percent COL rate on their anniversary dates, the Board of Aldermen unanimously decided. This comes as an amendment to Ordinance 99D.
“This will be a good way to off-set inflation,” board member Lance Milligan said.
In other business, the board unanimously voted to raise the salary of the chief of police from $23.60 an hour to $25.00 an hour. Right now, the chief’s position pays $43,030.00 a year. “I looked up some places around this area, and Ringgold pays their chief $47,000.00,” alderman Judy McKenzie said.
“I think $25 an hour is fair,” Milligan offered. This would bring the salary of the position to $52,000 a year.
Acting Chief Alan Davis is expected to become fulltime chief when the board of aldermen meets in regular session on Tuesday, Aug. 8 at 5 p.m. Davis, who was named acting chief in July, has been associated with the Dixie Inn Police Dept. since 2014 and has military experience with the Marine Corp.
“Experience makes all the difference in the world,” McKenzie stated, referring to Davis.
Milligan, and alderman Nell Finlay, agreed that the PD was looking “really good,” and had “a lot more presence” on patrols.
“People are starting to pay more attention,” Milligan said, “We are a crucial hub (of highways and roads)” that must be policed. “Just keep doing what you are doing.”
The board also unanimously approved a temporary hiring freeze in the police department at the request of Chief Davis to allow him time to look at resume’s that have already been submitted and to get his office in order.
Lastly, the board unanimously agreed to allow Mayor Donna Hoffoss to “enter into an agreement with Healthy Communities Grants in the amount of $8,000.00 for the acquisition of a garbage trailer.” The grants are part of the Keep Louisiana Beautiful program.
The public is invited to attend the regular meeting of the Dixie Inn Board of Aldermen at 5 p.m. on Tuesday.
