What are the annual salaries of the Lake Charles mayor, city administrator and city department heads?

City Administrator John Cardone said a survey in 2014 showed that Lake Charles city officials’ salaries “were significantly lower and below the average of comparable positions surveyed in other Louisiana municipalities and the Calcasieu Parish Police Jury.”

“The wage disparity of these positions creates problems with both recruitment and retaining employees,” Cardone said in a statement forwarded to The Informer. “As a result, the city implemented an across-the-board pay increase for all employees in January of 2016.”

City officials’ annual salaries, along with their years of service:

Mayor Randy Roach — $125,000, as per the City Charter; 16 years.

City Administrator John Cardone — $140,150; 34 years.

Finance Director Karen Harrell — $109,512; 35 years.

Public Works Director Mister Edwards — $104,146; 17 years.

Personnel/Human Resources Director Wendy Goodwin — $95,285; 17 years.

Community Services Director Percy Brown — $95,285; 15 years.

Fire Chief Keith Murray — $92,133, not including $6,000 annual state supplemental pay; 27 years.

Police Chief Don Dixon — $113,942; 14 years.

The Informer requested similar information from the Calcasieu Parish Police Jury and will print it when it becomes available.

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Online: www.cityoflakecharles.com.

Superintendent’s pay set at $157,600

How much does the superintendent gross per year? Who is the assistant superintendent and how much is their salary per year? Why do we need the assistant superintendent?

Calcasieu Parish school system spokeswoman Holly Holland said the School Board’s contract with Superintendent Karl Bruchhaus sets a 2015-2016 salary of $157,600 and — instead of mileage and a repair reimbursement — provides for a $10,800 auto allowance.

“The Calcasieu Parish School Board has historically had two assistant superintendent positions to help administer the 73 facilities with 4,850 employees and 32,800 students,” Holland wrote in an email.

“The two positions are labeled in the organizational chart as Chief Academic Officer, who oversees curriculum and instruction and school administration, and Chief Operating Officer, who manages personnel and auxiliary services.

“Both salaries are set by the Calcasieu Parish School Board salary schedule for 2015-2016 at $100,529.”

Tommy Campbell is the chief academic officer, and Shannon LaFargue is the chief operating officer.

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Online: www.cpsb.org.

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The Informer answers questions from readers each Sunday, Monday and Wednesday. It is researched and written by Andrew Perzo, an American Press staff writer. To ask a question, call 494-4098 and leave voice mail, or email informer@americanpress.com.