Iberia Parish President Ernest Freyou would like to see parish employees get a little more money in their paychecks.

Although no formal action was taken, Freyou said he wants to increase the gross pay of parish employees by 3 percent during Wednesday’s Iberia Parish Council meeting. Freyou’s interest came after the parish administration’s review of the wage and salary study done by the Archer Co.

Freyou hopes to make the adjustment beginning with the next pay cycle. The adjustment will cost $78,000 which the parish has on hand, and will cover all parish employees other than elected officials.

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“We want to put some additional money in paychecks now,” he said.

The pay increase will take place first as an administrative move, as there is currently enough money in the parish budget to cover the expense. A formal council vote on the matter will take place at a later meeting.

“We’ll ratify it on May 28,” said Council Chairman Bernard Broussard.

Freyou also said he wants to develop a more merit-based pay system, beginning as early as 2009.

“We’re going to have a pay system for people who are performing,” Freyou said.

The council also heard from parish resident Robert Snoddy, whose property is adjacent to an approximately five-acre, parish-owned lot that he would like the parish to maintain by cutting trees, grass and brush, and through which a debris-filled canal runs, next to the Bayou Teche.

“You’re taking all this property, so it ought to be maintained,” Snoddy told the council.

Councilman John Berard supported Snoddy’s efforts.

“You need to keep the integrity of the canal,” Berard said.

Parish Public Works Director Kevin Hagerich showed the council aerial photos of the site and offered a different view.

“Undergrowth is necessary to maintain the integrity of the canal,” he said.

Freyou agreed to visit the site with Snoddy to develop a better assessment of what needs to be done.