By JIM BUTLER

Assessor Richard I. “Rick” Ducote Jr. has notified the public he intends to raise his pay after Dec. 31.

Under terms of a 2023 legislative act, assessors were given authority to increase their salary up to 5 percent after Dec. 31 that year and this.

Though elected by parish voters, assessors by law have to rely on the Legislature for compensation changes.

They will have to return to Baton Rouge to seek any pay change beyond 2025.

Ducote has been assessor since early 2011 when as chief deputy assessor he succeeded Ralph Gill, who retired, and filled the unexpired term until elected.

The most-recent audit (2022) of Ducote’s agency lists his base salary as $155,864.

Graphic: Courtesy Global Career Center