Abbeville officials discuss possible raise for Chief of Police Mike Hardy

Late last year, the Abbeville City Council approved raises for members of the Abbeville Police Department.
Chief of Police Mike Hardy did not receive a raise at that time, nor does the position qualify for the 2% annual raise, as the salary is set by ordinance.
However, a raise could be coming.
During an Ordinance Committee meeting on Tuesday, the council approved a possible amendment to the ordinance, one that would set the chief’s salary at $85,000. That salary is currently set at $65,000.
Councilman Francis Touchet Jr. said such a raise would bring the chief’s salary closer to chiefs in nearby municipalities.
“When you look at some of these areas,” Touchet said, “there are some inequities.”
Touchet presented salaries for other departments:
• Crowley — $75,782.98
• Broussard — $85,639.22
• New Iberia — $85,855
• Youngsville — $86,985
• Scott — $92,663
“I’m not going to say we need to go to the top end of that,” Touchet said.
Touchet suggested $85,000.
“I say that we bring it up to at least that number,” Touchet said. “We would have a competitive salary for that particular position.”
In December of 2019, the council voted to give then Chief of Police William Spearman a raise, increasing his salary from $55,000 to the current $65,000. Hardy, who took office last July, did not make an official request for a raise.
“This is not Mike brining this to me,” Touchet said.
Mayor Roslyn White said that she agreed with a potential raise for the chief, but that $75,000 would be an appropriate figure.
“Chief, you’re well worth it,” White said to Hardy. “This is no reflection of you or any part of that. We took this job knowing what our salary was going to be. I do think there are some iniquities and that it is an underpaid position. We don’t have the revenue and growth that Broussard has, so I have some concerns over moving to that number. I would feel a lot better moving it to $75,000, plus the supplement.”
The chief receives an annual state supplement of $7,200. That is completely separate from the salary.
“That doesn’t even flow through our accounts,” Touchet said of the supplement. “That is what they get from the state.”
Councilman Carlton Campbell, Councilman Brady Broussard Jr. and Touchet voted in favor of $85,000. Councilman Tony Hardy, who is the chief’s brother, abstained from voting. Councilwoman Terry Broussard opposed.
“This is not reflection on you,” she told the chief regarding her vote. “I do agree with the $75,000 for the chief of police.”
The proposal will now go to a vote from the council at a future regular city council meeting. There will not be a meeting on Feb. 21, as that falls on Mardi Gras Day. The next scheduled regular meeting is Tuesday, March 7.
Touchet said the future factors into the raise.
“We need to make sure that we are taking care of the city not just for now,” Touchet said, “but for five, 10 and 15 years down the road. The chief does not get a 2% raise.”
The $13,000 that pushed starting salaries for officers to $40,000 is producing results, Chief Hardy added on Tuesday.
“We are receiving a lot of interest,” he told the council. “We have more than a dozen applications. That’s after zero in my first few months (in office).”
During the regular meeting, the council approved Hardy’s recommendation of three new hires. That puts the department at 27 members, five short of a full staff. Hardy said he is going to be selective in filling out the department.
“I’m looking bring in the best we can,” Hardy said.