GONZALES, La. – Gonzales Mayor Tim Riley is facing questions over a series of unapproved salary increases that were implemented last fall, bypassing the usual city council approval process. This has raised concerns about financial transparency and the mayor’s authority over city compensation.
Mayor’s Salary Increase Without Council Approval
Last fall, Mayor Riley’s salary increased by several thousand dollars without the required approval from the city council. The salary increase was done outside the customary process, which mandates that the council approve such raises.
Riley’s salary was initially set at step five of the pay scale for his position, with a salary of about $125,590 when he began his term in January 2025. However, his pay has since risen to $134,035, which includes raises not accounted for in the approved budget.
In August, the council had approved a budget with a salary of $130,237 for Riley. Yet, documents obtained by The Advocate show that by early September, his salary had increased to $131,414 and was classified at step seven of the pay scale. This increase, along with a subsequent 2% cost-of-living raise, pushed Riley’s salary beyond the budgeted figure.
Council Members Express Concerns
Division B Councilman Kirk Boudreaux, who has served on the city council since 2009, expressed concerns about Riley’s salary increases. Boudreaux noted that step increases should occur only once a year, based on years of service, and should have been applied in January, not earlier. He emphasized that Riley should not have moved up the pay scale until his one-year anniversary in office.
Legal and Procedural Discrepancies
While Louisiana law allows the mayor to adjust municipal employees’ pay, it mandates that the city council set the compensation for elected officials, including the mayor. This requirement is detailed by the Louisiana Legislative Auditor. The mayor’s salary increase without council approval goes against established practices.
City Clerk Anthony Keller explained that Riley’s salary was adjusted because the budgeted amount did not align with the city’s step increase system. He noted that an ordinance passed in 2020 set the mayor’s salary at $140,816, but the 2024 budget stated that the new mayor’s salary step would be based on service completed at the time of induction, which, in Riley’s case, should have been step five.
Concerns Over Financial Transparency
Former Senior Accountant Alanda Viger, who worked for the city until June, clarified that merit increases for the mayor and police chief had traditionally been voted on by the council, not automatically granted through the step system. This is supported by other council members, including Division D Councilman Tyler Turner and Police Chief Sherman Jackson.
In past years, the council had approved merit raises for previous mayors, including Barney Arceneaux, and Sherman Jackson via separate ordinances, but no such approval occurred for Riley’s salary adjustments.
Riley and Council’s Response
Riley has defended the salary changes, attributing them to merit raises and the 2% cost-of-living increase. However, some council members, like Councilman Eddie Williams, argued that the increases were in line with budget approval and pointed out that the 2% raise alone was not enough to explain the final salary amount.
In response to the controversy, Wade Petite, Riley’s chief of staff, admitted he was unfamiliar with the city’s step system and did not focus on the details. Riley emphasized that his administration was not attempting to act illegally and was focused on moving the city forward.
Tensions Over Financial Oversight
Financial transparency has been a point of contention between Riley’s administration and the city council. Council members have raised concerns about the lack of monthly budget statements, with Boudreaux pointing out that they have not received financial updates for months.
In response, Petite claimed that delays in financial reports were due to issues left by the previous finance director and that they were working with auditors to resolve these problems.
Public Criticism
Division E Councilmember Terri Lambert expressed strong disapproval of Riley’s actions, stating that she was “disgusted” that Riley bypassed the council’s authority and gave himself multiple raises without approval. Lambert emphasized the importance of transparency to protect taxpayer dollars.
