Shreveport's big moves in education, safety, and local jobs you’ll want to know about

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[Music] AI agents are everywhere, automating tasks and making decisions at machine speed. But agents make mistakes. Just one rogue agent can do big damage before you even notice. Rubric Agent Cloud is the only platform that helps you monitor agents, set guard rails, and rewind mistakes, so you can unleash agents, not risk. Accelerate your AI transformation at rubric.com. That's r u r i k.com [Music] 1017 FM 710 Keel Mccardi on the Jack Spring Electric News Maker Hotline. Superintendent of Education Dr. Kate Brumley joining us. Uh good morning, sir. Thanks for joining us. Hey, merry Christmas to you guys. I'll ask you I'll ask you like they're asking Trump voters, are you tired of winning yet? Wow. We're just going to we're going to keep at it. You know, it's a testament to the teachers across the state. They're doing great work and um new school grades have come out and you guys are doing great. Well, look, Louisiana, you know, we've been uh challenged educationally for a long time. So, for us to see the improvements we're seeing here in the state and to have the national recognition is a long time coming, but it's certainly uh worth celebrating. The fourth year in a row that we've seen um the school performance scores go up. Is that accurate kind of statewide? Yeah, look, we've year over year over year over year, I guess. Um we've seen uh an increase in performance academically uh statewide in that statewide rollup. Um and even if we look there within your kind of uh uh area in northwest Louisiana, we're seeing you know Boer Parish uh having earned a B as in boy. Uh Kat uh is a B as in boy. Dotto is an A. Um Webster there is a C. And so looking looking good uh in terms of where they stand and uh but still at the same time a lot of work to to still be done. We also need to mention though that the the system is changing for scores that come out this time next year I believe. Explain what will be changing and what that means for schools things they need to do. Well look the the way in which schools receive letter grades right now in school systems is very complicated. um only a very small handful of people really across the state can even explain all of the the details. And so what we try to do really is twofold. One, um raise the bar uh raise the level of expectations, but at the same time also simplify that system. So we're going to move uh to a revised accountability model. Uh the the new system essentially can can go on an index card and families in the community will be able to see very simply the percent of kids in a in a school building that are reading on grade level, the percent doing math on grade level, the percent growing, the percent graduating on time and and all of that will roll into uh a letter grade. And and right now on the current system, not the new revised system, but the current system, about 40% or so of elementary and middle schools across the state are A and B rated and about 80% of high schools are A and B rated. So you you have a a situation where it's really not balanced. And so what the new system also does is is balance that out. So what in this in this first year you'll see um elementary and middle schools that have never really been honored for the growth that they're achieving in kids like they're they're coming in at a certain grade level and they're really growing them to the next grade level. You'll see that honored but at the same time u some of the high schools where I do just honestly believe there's been a good bit of grade inflation uh some of those will come down. So, it's not a an issue of schools, high schools performing at a at a lower level. It's a formulaic change for next year. Okay. Speaking of literacy and and reading, we the the K3 literacy numbers in Louisiana because you guys have game essentially. If those kids can't read at their grade level, when they get in the third grade, they're held back. But we're seeing improvements, aren't we? Are we not? Well, we went to this back to the basics approach of teaching kids phonics. uh making sure kids have access to to rich literature. Um we move to three screenings a year for literacy, one at the beginning of the year, one at the middle, one at the end for kids in K3 and then parent notification after that. And um we now do this screener that's standardized across the entire state three times a year. And so this year when we did our beginning of year screener for the first time in the state's history, we had 50% of kids proficient in reading at the beginning of the year. Now I'm not here to brag about 50% proficient in reading, but the fact remains we've never been at 50% proficient at the beginning of the year. So we're we're excited about uh that progress and um you know we'll have the middle of the year results coming out within the next couple months. And so we're really curious to see where that that is at this point. And we're still we're still are we still under the policy of we're holding some kids back if they don't meet that number? Yeah, that's right. So we we've had an aggressive um set of policies over the last few years on literacy that have enabled us to be in a position where we can enforce this new law. Uh, and this law is is a retention law and it basically ends social promotion and it says, you know, if kids uh can't read on grade level um or are at a minimum level of proficiency rather by the end of third grade, they can't promote to fourth grade. And so we're we're really making sure in K3 that the kids have that minimum level of proficiency. And if they don't have it by the end of third grade, they have summer school options to get there. They have tutoring options to get there. But if they don't make it, they they retain so that we can make sure that they have the necessary reading skills so that they can be successful in the rest of their K12 experience. But um last year's third grade was um third grade where that went into effect. So really we're in our second year now. Superintendent of Education Dr. Kate Rumley. We've Louisiana, as you know, historically we've just we've been on the on the bottom of every good list for so long. It's it's almost come to be expected and we we've ch you're we're beginning to change that thinking. What's different in 2025? What is leading these successes? Well, number one, it starts with the classroom teacher. Um we've done a lot of work to reduce vacancies in classrooms. Um we we've in initiated the let teachers teach work uh to reduce you know excessive paperwork and trainings and uh removed disruptions from their classrooms. And so that that has helped but at the core of it I really think it's this back to the basics approach of narrowing down making sure we're doing a better job of teaching kids to read teaching kids to do math making sure they're they're graduating ready for for what's next. You know, we've also done a lot of work around the state of of moving kids from failing schools to higher performing schools. We did some of that right there in Kado Parish uh last year. And so I think all of those things have have really played into it, but a lot of work left to do. Is there more of a focus on teaching kids and not teaching kids for testing? Well, we in Louisiana, we have a set of standards that we expect kids to know and be able to do at every grade level. And um the the goal of in that classroom is to make sure that those kids understand and can achieve on those set of of of standards. And so obviously at the end of the year um if they're tested, that's what they're going to be tested on. I mean it wouldn't it wouldn't make sense to train someone to be a a plumber uh and then at the end of the year give them a a test on a car engine. So what what we try to do is make sure that the things that that they are taught over the course of the year, which are the standards that we expect are what's reflected on the test. One more thing before we let you go, what is your message to school boards in our region and I guess across the state with regard to teacher pay? Teacher retention is an issue for a lot of parishes. Um that most lawmakers will tell you really that's a local issue. What do you say to schoolboard members when they try to tackle the air this issue of boosting teacher pay? Well, first and foremost, I would say that the environment also matters. Making sure that that that the teachers have good school leaders, making sure that they're not given excessive paperwork and duties, making sure that uh behavior problems are addressed. So, that all of that stuff really matters. And then whenever you get to pay, I mean, it's not hypothetical. I have this conversation with boards all the time. Boards have to scrub their budgets. They have to rightsize their systems to the number of kids that they have so that they can be efficient. And they need to do everything that they can to make sure teachers are paid professionally. It is it is in my opinion the number one financial investment uh that every board can make in terms of the dollars that they have available and the way in which they use them. So to me for local systems, teacher pay uh is number one with those budgets. Uh and and the way in which they often times can achieve those is looking at making sure that those systems are right sized and that the amount of buildings that they have, the amount of administrators they have, the amount of uh administrators they have align to the number of kids they're serving. Dr. Kate Brumley, superintendent of education, thanks for joining us this morning. Thanks for having me. And again, merry Christmas. Merry Christmas to you, sir. Talk to you soon. Uh, Streetport Mayor Tom Marso proposing a 3% pay raise for city employees. City Councilman Grayson Butcher joining us 1017 FM 710 KE. Back with more of Mike and McCarti on 1017 FM and 710 Keel [Music] 1017 FM 710 Keel Mah Mccardi program that uh folks need to know about it's uh Shriport is offering what's called Operation Safe Neighborhoods. And they have a program where they're offering residents some equipment and services which will help with um safety. And if to be eligible, you have to be a homeowner. Um elderly and disabled residents will qualify could qualify as homeowners or renters. So one one application per household. You you and I qualify. You see, don't ush Don't say that because they're they're calling elderly. Don't say that. Okay. You will be getting uh in the installation and the purchase of two motion activated flood lights for the front and rear of your home. Equipment and the labor are provided at no cost. It's a first come, first serve basis subject to your eligibility and availability. They're having uh I believe four sessions where you can sign up. Um starting actually they did one yesterday. There's one today at the David Reigns Community Center from 1 until 3. Thursday at Valencia Park from 5:30 to 7:30 and Friday at Airport Park, the Airport Park Community Center from 1 until 3. So if you're interested, you can look Operation Safe Neighborhoods. You can Google it in on the uh Shrefport City website and it'll have all the details. But it's an effort I mean for folks who can't afford to put, you know, motion activated flood lights on their home. Pretty cool program. Pretty cool program. And lighting is a big deterrent for criminals. If that light pops on when they're walking up trying to get in your car, they're typically going to move on to somewhere else. So, it's a it's a great program. I'm hoping a lot of people that need it get, you know, get it um and we can help prevent some crime. They're doing everything they can to get the message out about it. So, I told them I would mention it this morning and definitely uh urge you to if if you know anybody that's eligible or would be interested, um be sure that they sign up because again, they're going to have limited supplies, but they do want to help as many people as they can. So, it said no existing flood lights on the home under the eligibility requirements. Right. Right. Right. So, they're not going to supplement your existing. If you've already got flood lights, let's move on to somebody that doesn't have them. Get somebody that doesn't have them. Exactly. What if What if somebody has them on the back but not the front? They'll probably work with you. They'll probably work with you, but you you know, you need to drop by and see. Or you can contact the community development department, too. Their phone number is 6735900. 673-5900 and find out, you know, if you have a little hitch in your giddy up, they'll they'll let you know what you need to do. But it's pretty cool program. And, you know, when when the city's doing something free, I want to let people know. Let let others know in your in your sphere who might be eligible that they might want to check it out. Right. Very nice. And would maybe something we can ask the mayor too when he's coming in here at 7:00 this morning. He will be here. It's our Lynch's lawn and fence ask the mayor. And if you've got a question for the mayor, shoot us a message now on the Shreport Security Systems message board. And uh and maybe we can get that in on our list. Also excited. It's kind of a special edition too because Justin Dixon is going to join the mayor uh during the first half of the of the hour and talking about this uh SLB project. You bet. Huge. Big deal. Largest in the country. Wow. Huge. Wow. Yeah. Mccardi 1017 FM710 keel.com. Dashing through the store. Dave's looking. [Music] I know. I'm putting them back. Hey Dave, here's a tip. Put scratchers on your list. Oh, scratchers. Good idea. It's an easy shopping trip. We're glad we could assist. Thanks, random singing people. So be like Dave this holiday and give the gift of play. Scratchers from California. A little play can make your day. Please play responsibly. Must be 18 years or older to purchase play or claim. Back to the show with Mike and McCarti on 1017 FM and 710 Keel. We spoke with Shripport City Councilman Grayson Butcher. Now, this was yesterday before the city council meeting talking about the city payraises and and some other things on the agenda. So, when you hear this, this was from yesterday before the vote, but it was very interesting. That's right after the break. Mike and Mccardi 1017fm 710.com. [Music] If you love to travel, Capital 1 has a rewards credit card that's perfect for you. With the Capital 1 Venture X card, you earn unlimited double miles on everything you buy. Plus, you get premium benefits at a collection of luxury hotels when you book on Capital 1 Travel. And with Venture X, you get access to over 1,000 airport lounges worldwide. Open up a world of travel possibilities with the Capital 1 Venture X card. What's in your wallet? Terms apply. Lounge access is subject to change. See capital.com for details. More breaking news and trending talk with Mike and McCarti on 1017 FM and 710 Keel [Music] 1017 FM 710 Keel Mike and Mccardi on the Jack Spring electric news maker hotline. Shreport city councilman Grayson Butcher. Grayson, good morning. Hey, good morning. How are y'all doing? Very well. Thanks for jumping on with us. The mayor's proposed a 3% pay increase for all city workers. I'm really proud of the city council for looking at that and going, can we do this better? Can we make this better? Uh, and not maybe give everybody all across the board a pay raise. What are the options that are um most favorable for you, Grayson? Well, you know, ultimately I I would like to get because uh you know, we've had both the police and the fire unions come to us and say, "Hey, look, to get us to where we're not losing people left and right, we need to get to 10%." Unfortunately, um my original plan was to take some money out of the reserve, but we all know what happened here recently with our bond rating, and we still have, you know, $160 million worth of bonds to sell. uh you know out of the 20 uh out of the 2021 bond uh to build the police station and to finish some fire stations and things like that. So we we really can't afford to um to take any money out of reserve because they really would like for our reserve to be at 15% and we're at 8%. So, we're going to have to kind of regroup on that and try to figure out an additional funding source to be able to get the police and fire up, you know, to that 10% raise that we we all know that they need to keep them from leaving us. Um, you know, but they they in this proposal they will get a 5% raise, uh, which which is a start and then hopefully, uh, you know, as the year progresses, you know, and sales tax revenue goes up, we're hoping we might be able to do something. But anyway, back to the, you know, to the other employees. So that's a 5% for police and fire, right? Correct. Yeah. But go on. What about for the others? Yeah. Okay. So So 3% for all other city employees that make under $75,000 a year. Um you know, the mayor had proposed 3% for all employees, but you know, we just gave a 13% raise across the board to every city employee. And you know on you you know we have some city employees that are making $15 $200,000 a year and I just can't do a 3% raise uh for for people making $200,000 a year when we've got you know people riding on the back of garbage trucks you know making less than $15 an hour. So, our our objective as a council and and I will say this, it's it's pretty unanimous um is to is to try to take care of those that are, you know, on the lower end of the pay scale and 75,000 or above would see nothing, right? Yes. At this point, and that seems to be the prevailing opinion of the council you're you're hearing, I think. So, I think the mayor and Tom Dark made it fairly clear that they want to give everybody a raise, including department heads, and and I just don't think that that's prudent right now. Um, you know, it's it's to me, um, if you've got somebody making $20,000 a year or, you know, 21 $24,000 a year, they're the ones that are going to need the raise. Um, I mean, cost of living is so high right now. And, uh, luckily we're seeing some things go down with gas prices and cost of food and things like that, but you can only imagine, you know, the average rent in Shreport is, you know, $800 to $1,200 a month for a two-bedroom apartment. It It's hard to make ends meet when you're making, you know, $25,000 a year. So, those are the ones that we're trying to kind of help. And and and I'll tell you, you know, the council has has talked about this. You know, this is my seventh year to do the budget and I think that we've hadations uh not only between council members about this budget in total the budget, not just payraises, but uh from the mayor's office and we've really dug in and looked and I think the citizens wanted us to do that and there's just no more money anywhere to be found unless we start making very very drastic cuts. Well, I'm I'm encouraged by what you're saying, Grayson. Shreport City Councilman Grayson Butcher because last time it was a 15% across the board regardless of what you were 13 13 sorry 13% across the board but this you you are breaking it down a little bit by people making less than $75,000 in and working on police and fire. I I I I'm encouraged by this breakdown. Well, you know, I was I was told by Dr. Carter with the with the police union that you know I I had really and I'm going to tell you my full intent and I'm upset with myself because we're not able to do the 10%. Um but but I don't see where we're going to find the money. But he he told me he said look um I said well is there any way we can push the 10% to you know the first quarter? And he said we're losing people so fast. He said, "I don't think that we're going to be able to wait until the first quarter, uh, you know, to the end of the first quarter because to make it budget, it would be easier if you did 10% to start at April 1st as opposed to January 1st." So, and it's not just him, it's the other union president uh um that has also talked to me about it, the other police union president that's talked to me about it and the fire union president has talked to me about it. We we've got a real issue with public safety. And I said this yesterday at the meeting. If we don't, you know, the number one thing that people are looking for when they come to a city or live in a city is safety. That's the number one issue with public with uh, you know, with quality of life. So, we've got to we've really got to take a hard look at that. But also, our other employees that are down in ditches in the middle of the night digging, you know, our water uh our water department workers, we've got, you know, our our sanitation workers. I mean, it's just the list goes on and on with the people that provide such good service for the city and and are really not making very much money at all. Grayson Butcher, Shriport City Council member will be watching. I'm sure y'all have to pass that budget today, right? We do. And, uh, then we're going to start working on other ways to do some funding sources. So, uh, keep your ears open. We will be watching that. Definitely. Thank you, Grayson. Y'all have a good morning. Thank you. You, too, sir. Thanks for coming on. 1017 FM 710 Keel Mike and McCarti. Best stories of the day with Mike and McCarti on 1017 FM and 710 Keel. [Applause] Okay. Yeah, this is this is crazy to me. This is crazy to me. We got a message on the Shreport Security Systems message board yesterday. When we talk about Christmas movies, we talked yesterday about um f just favorite. You asked what what our favorite Christmas movie. Yes. And I and I I I can't narrow it down to one because there are so many that we love to watch throughout the December. Sure. And and so but I got a text. Thomas Avalone said, "Gremlins." Gremlins. Gremlins is a great one. Batman Returns. What? Absolutely. And Ghostbusters 2. What? Mayor Tom Arseno is in early. And so, do you have a favorite Christmas movie? I do, but it's a classic. Okay. It's a Wonderful Life. Yes. And it has to be black and white. Don't show me the colorized version. No, no, no, no. I'm I'm It's got to be black and white. Old school. Oh, wow. Okay. Louisiana's favorite, by the way, is uh Christmas Vacation. Hey, that's our favorite. We also like Home Alone and A Christmas Story. So, Die Hard didn't even make the list. Not the top three or Eyes Wide Shut or or Silent Night, Deadly Night. No, Deadly Night. None of those made the list. No Ruben didn't. We got We did get a message on the Shreport security systems message board. Long kiss good night. Oh, who's in that? I don't even know about that one. Said it starts with a Christmas parade even. Ah, I don't know who's in it. What What's it about, Reuben? Uh, god, it's been so long since I've watched it, but I remember the Christmas parade scene. Also, uh, also the movie Kiss Kiss Bang Bang could be. Yeah. Really? Oh, yeah. And you were saying Rambo is a Christmas. Rambo's a Christmas movie. Rambo is not a Christmas movie, Ruben. None of these are Christmas. Bring him into the police station and the police station is decorated for Christmas. It's a Christmas movie. Okay. So, if there's any Christmas decorations, it's a Christmas. Okay. Whatever. So, have you watched yours? Have you watched yours yet this year or I have not. It's on your schedule, I'm sure. I I I I hope I'll have time to do that. Exactly. We got a lot to discuss with the mayor. If you want to ask him a question, don't wait until it's almost 8:00. Send your question in now on the Shriport Security Systems message board. All you got to do is download that free kill app and message us right there. It's easy. And if it's a question that pertains to the I don't want to know about your one pothole in front of your house. I'll ask him that on the side, but we want to stick to the issues that matter to the entire city. So, send us a question in. We'll be glad to ask it and we'll put it on the list. Justin Dixon is also going to join the mayor uh after the top of the hour talking about this exciting announcement from SLB. Doubling is going to be the largest SLB facility in the world. It's incredible. Unbelievable. right here in Shreport. Good things are happening cave people. 1017 FM 710 Keel Mike and Mccardi. [Music] 1017 FM 710 Keel Mike and Mccardi Shreport Mayor Tom Marseno in studio. It's the Lynch's lawn and fins ask the mayor. He spends an hour in here answering your questions that you can shoot to us on the Shreport security systems message board. Uh Justin Dixon joining us. He had to step out and take a quick call. So let me start with uh the Shreport city budget mayor and the the 3% pay raise. We spoke with Grayson Butcher yesterday who kind of broke down the the the pay raise which is I'm I was more encouraged that as opposed to just like last time with 15% across the board. This time you are breaking it down to uh to try to give those that make less money a little more. Yeah. uh the uh the raise will not the 3% will not apply to people making $75,000 or more which turns out and and and that does not apply to police and fire. So the police and fire get 2% plus 3%. the other city employees. And um part of the reason it'll end up being delayed till May 1st is that there uh there really not very many of those people right in outside of fire and police. The vast majority of the people that make $75,000 or more are firemen and policemen. Is this sustainable in your view? You actually wanted a 3% for all. Um, just because I I think I think your reasoning and you can help me if I'm wrong, is that the folks that are right there hovering at the 75,000, you might have somebody that you're supervising that might now surpass you. Correct. And that causes ill will. Well, it causes ill will. It causes problems with our civil with our civil service charts. Uh, but uh I I think that only it only is going to uh affect literally a handful of people. We'll be able to figure out how to fix that. Okay. and uh and we'll work on it. Hopefully, we'll be able to do uh something else. Uh but, you know, u everybody's cost of living uh has increased and and our thought was it was relatively meager. Uh, I wish it would I wish it could be uh more. And we're we're looking at what um at what it takes to bring our rank and file, what I call our rank and file, folk folks actually, you know, repair the water manes and and the sewer uh and the sewer issues and uh fix the potholes and picking up trash and all that. Pick up the trash. We we we'd like to have those people up. We will be we we still had a handful of people making less than $15 an hour. That'll be fixed. Uh it that that one is a relatively easy fix because most of them were in the 14 something, right, category. So, and and they're not all that many of them. So, we'll do that. There was a proposition um or an idea maybe floated about giving police rays but not firefighters. Um I think one of the council members did that. Where is is is that moving forward? Is that still being discussed? I'm sure it will still be uh still be discussed. Um, generally speaking, uh, and historically, uh, the they have been kind of in lock step with each other, fire and police. And, uh, I'm not sure that there's a political appetite to decouple them. M uh the the issue of course becomes that the uh if your real issue is with police recruitment uh then if you uh if you do not uh decouple them then it basically costs twice as much to do for one because you're doing for both. There is concern too mayor that and and it happens in the private sector too. We all know it that health insurance costs keep going up and that this 3% raise might just be sucked up by increases in health insurance premiums. Are city workers facing that? City workers are facing I think a 5% increase. Now remember that's not 5% of their salary, 5% of their premium. The city pays 76% of that of that premium. So the vast majority of the increase and there is a small increase this year. the vast majority of that increase is borne by the city of Shreveport as opposed by a worker. And that that is something that people don't necessarily count on when they're looking at compensation, right? Uh the the uh the health insurance benefits that we provide are very very generous. Um and uh and that's a good thing. I'm I'm delighted that they are. Those are of course um not taxed. that that's a a fringe benefit that is non-t tax, but it's a real benefit that has a real that has a real price tag attached to it. Mhm. The the 3% you're confident will help retain workers in our community. You're hoping I think so. Yeah, I think it will. Um most of our uh most of our city workers are very loyal. Uh, you know, last week we had the uh uh employee appreciation dinner uh Thursday night and it was a it really is always astounding the number of people who have worked for the city for 15 20 25 30 35 years. Mhm. Uh you know it's a they do have the other thing to remember is that they have a they have a very healthy retirement right and that has a that is worth something too. Uh so and and we provide health insurance. We provide most of the payments uh for retirees health insurance too. So it's a we are a fairly generous employer if you consider the entire package. Okay. Can we talk about data centers when we come back? Sure. Because there's a lot of myths. I want you to clear up some of them. A lot of people are scared about what could be coming. Let's talk to the mayor about that when we come back. Ask the mayor. Shreport mayor Tom Marseno in studio 1017fm 710key.com. AI agents are everywhere, automating tasks and making decisions at machine speed. But agents make mistakes. Just one rogue agent can do big damage before you even notice. Rubric Agent Cloud is the only platform that helps you monitor agents, set guard rails, and rewind mistakes, so you can unleash agents, not risk. Accelerate your AI transformation at rubric.com. That's r u r i k.com. Mike and McCarti on 1017 FM and 710 Keel. The lynchious lawn and fence ask the mayor segment. Shreport mayor Tom Marseno in studio answering your questions this morning. Justin Dixon with the North Louisiana Economic Partnership is also in studio with us because uh Justin, you guys some exciting news out at the former GM plant SLB now. A huge expansion. Yes, we now call it the SLB plant. I don't even know what the other thing is you're talking about. I I could feel him tensing up when I said that, but we are going to break through this. If it kills us, we're going to have some positivity coming up in here. I hear you. But this is a I mean $30 million investment into in back into this community, another $600 employees. Tell us about this expansion. Absolutely. You know, these projects, whether they're new or expansions, they take time, money, and effort to get there. We've been working with them on this for a year, over a year. Uh but yes, they committed to an an additional 600 new well-paying jobs and another 30 million in capital investment. Uh when people continue to invest and continue to expand the job in the workforce, uh that means they like what's going on and it's a great great day. And for somebody that's already here to now basically double their their size and their investment, that speaks to me that speaks even better for our community and for what's going on because they know they're not being sold a bill of goods saying come here. They're here. They see what's happening. Absolutely. And listen, when you're talking about our community, there's a lot going on right now. But let me tell you, there's some positivity that that you've never seen before. Uh, that's exciting. The the council last night supported us 6 to give us a tool to go recruit a data center. The commission voted 120 to help SLB with some of their needs that I mean that you you can't speak higher volumes to we are open for business and we've got to keep that going and SLB uh was part of that yesterday. What percentage of that plant is SLB using now? Oh, don't make me do math this morning, Erin. I do Northwood math. They're about two. She's making fun of me. Uh, they're a little over two million square feet. Okay. Um, and total is a little over three. Wow. So, twothirds of it. Oh, yeah. At least 2/3. And we think of slumber as an oil field company. What are they doing there? What are they doing here in Shrefport? So ironic, you know, with all the discussions going on around data centers, they are building digital infrastructure, that means they are building equipment for data centers. Yeah. Wow. And and you know, here's the thing. A lot of times where these data centers go and they're great projects and I've seen them and I visited them and I've been to them, but they don't have a supply network. We have a supply network here. We have SLB which is growing, Fiberbond, ModuX, Gordon Inc., a lot of these companies supplying these data centers. So, the ripple effect we could have if we were to get one of these data centers would be pretty incredible. The 600 additional jobs, are you optimistic? And the mayor can answer this. Either one is fine. Are they going to be local people? Are we going to pipe in people from out of town? So, the original was 596. I believe they're at 660 or they were a couple of weeks ago. Uh over half of those came from Kado Parish. Oh, cool. The other another third came from northwest Louisiana and out after that it just kind of spreads out all over everywhere and it's good to bring new people in. Let me let me break in here. One of the things that we are trying to do in Streetport is to increase our population. Good point. And so bringing bringing in people who were not here to populate our city and to to infill with good jobs develop with good jobs. That is not a negative. And they can buy houses and they can do all the things that we have in our community. That's a great point. Absolutely. What did I just say? It's good to bring new people into the community. Absolutely. When will the hiring of these new 600 new jobs start? Immediately. Immediately. Uh they're hiring every day. Okay. Now, we're going to talk data centers in the next half hour. Oh, boy. Can you stay, Justin? I can't I can't stay in the next hour. I'm sorry. No, just for the next maybe 10, 15 minutes. Oh, absolutely. Okay. Cuz we want to make sure we cover everything, all the negatives that everybody is saying, here's your chance. We're going to try to dispel what everyone is saying out there about your, you know, your water and your electric rates and noise and we're going to get to all of it. Lynch's Lawn and Fence Ask the Mayor. uh shreport mayor Tom Marso in studio along with Justin Dixon from the NL NLE Micah Mccardi 1017 FM710.com. Let's get back to the show with Mike and McCarti on 1017 FM and 710key. [Music] Ask the mayor. Shreport mayor Tom Marseno stays in studio with us for an hour every month answering your questions. Justin Dixon with the North Louisiana Economic Partnership also in here. Let's talk data center fellas and the myths. And yeah, myths and and facts. Mhm. Uh at the original meeting, there was a lot of concern at the MPC meeting, but uh let's talk about the Shreport City Council meeting because it went a little bit better. Yeah. Well, I think it did. Uh the the uh first of all, there uh just to put the perspective, there were uh more supporters, probably my my estimate is about twice as many supporters there as there were opponents. And there were more people who spoke in favor than who spoke in opposition. Uh there is I believe broad community support for this very important uh economic development project and uh and and I so I was very much encouraged by uh what happened at the council yesterday. Justin, lots of people are saying it's going to increase our electric bills, mine, Mike's, yours, Mayor Tom's, and that that has been a that they cite data where it's happened before. Is that an old school thing that happened before? And it's are are we sure that my rates aren't going to go up because of the data center? Yeah, I think the places like Virginia where they came in in droves, I think there's 600 plus data centers up there, uh, they came in faster than they could plan for it. But I believe the absolute best way that we can address that is the way SWEPCO addressed it when they were asked by the council, will this increase rates? No was the emphatic answer. And you're confident of that? SWEPCO says no. Absolutely. I'm confident in SWEPCO. Okay. And will they have to build more power plants to accommodate that? They're building two more. Energy is I think in Rayville. Will we have to have more electric power plants here? Gosh, I hope so. Uh, you know, SWEPCO was asked that question last night and and they said they will always keep up with demand. They are charged with delivering power and if they need to build additional generation, they will. The water, do we have enough water in the lake? People talk about Cross Lake's got silts and and it's going to be a problem. Mayor Arseno, are you confident we can supply the water this data center will need without increasing our water rates? Absolutely. No question at all. No question at all. The the it's a it's a huge reservoir and the primary reason that we use uh additional water sometimes in the summer is just that it's not just the water supply, it's also a recreational recreational lake and so we want to maintain its level. But we have plenty of water. This will not affect it. And 100% of the cost of both the water and wastewater infrastructure to serve this data center will be paid for by the developer. There's no city cost uh to that whatsoever. So uh what we're basically getting is a very large customer for both water and sewer. They'll pay the regular industrial rates. they're not getting any any price break uh at all on that. And so our our our only cost will be the marginal cost of providing the water. I mean we have it's treated water so it has a a cost just like it costs us to treat your water, right? And uh and it costs us to carry it away afterwards. So we'll have that cost but there's a profit margin in there that will be very beneficial. So I think what will happen ratewise is this will actually produce downward pressure. Now the rates are our water rates are not going to go down and primarily that's because of the consent decree. We're going to have to undertake uh some pretty massive construction in the next uh hopefully 20 years and that will that will require some rate increases but this project will help forestall some of those rate increases or make them smaller than they otherwise would have to be. So it's a plus on water rates. Mayor, what do you say to the people like have left messages on the uh message board that say, "Man, we can't get water pressure here in East Streetport already and now you want to add more 4 million gallons." How what do you say to those? Sorry, mayor, if you don't mind, I'm going to jump in. One of the things that the companies, you know, if they were to come here would be they would need to possibly build additional elevated tanks. So more towers which would mean better water pressure without the city having to pay for it. So I mean like like Libby Glass did years ago. They have a water tower at that at that plan. Why all the secrecy that that's been a real big criticism? That's right. Why all the secrecy that we don't the the residents are saying, "Well, we we can't know this. Y'all signed NDAs. Why don't we get to know who this is and all that?" Listen, I I I think Mike Bousada said it best. You know, it's not the best process, but this is the process in economic development across the country and across the world. You know, there's proprietary information that all these companies are trying to get out there to try to capitalize on. And uh it's just the way it goes. And so, it's not that they're keeping. A matter of fact, there is going to be another community meeting. Uh, I believe it's on the 16th. Uh, we're not involved. Uh, we will be there though. Uh, but you know, you got to get these an questions asked before you can commit the dollars. Okay. You got to get the excuse me, these questions answered before you get the dollar. So, it's the process. Is it a clean process? No. But it's the process with every project we do. Thank you, Justin, for coming in. I know you got a bolt. The mayor's going to stay. We got to talk 50 Cent, lots of other issues, but it's Ask the Mayor. Mike McCarti 1017 FM710key.com. Now breaking news and trending talk with Mike and Mccarti on 1017 FM and 710 Keel. Lynch's lawn and fence asked the mayor Mike McCarti, Shreport Mayor Tom Arseno in studio along with Justin Dixon with the North Louisiana Economic Partnership. One more thing we didn't get to about the myths. Justin, talk about the noise. People are saying you're going to have this loud bass rumble and it's going to be disturbing to the neighborhood. Discuss that. Is that a problem? So, I have been to these hyperscaler data centers. You and I could have a conversation just like we're having right now right up against it. They are going to comply with all noise requirements placed upon them by the mayor and the city and everybody else. They want to be good partners, but that be wastewater, that be water consumption, that be whatever it is, noise, they are going to comply with all restrictions that are in place. This comes before the city council. We anticipate they are appealing to the Shriport city council on the 18th. If it's approved by the city council at that point, what time does dirt when does dirt first turn? I I I mean, we'll have to get a project first, right? Okay. I you know I I'm not sure but if but if it doesn't happen on the 18th we might not be turning dirt period. So this might be it. If the council says no then and or postpones it or anything like that. I think all the council people said yesterday we have got to send the message that we are open for business. So it's not just this other this opportunity. It could be many many opport this this is a death nail if we don't approve this for future economic development in our area. But let me spin this one last thing and it spins the wrong word. Let me lay it out the way it is. 60 vote last night by the council and then a unanimous vote on the SLB project by the commission. Listen, there's there's some people out here that have some concerns. I get it. We're going to listen to those concerns, but there's a lot of elected officials that want to see progress in Northwest Louisiana, Shreport, and Kado Parish. I feel like that's what we're going to do. It's exciting news. We will keep obviously keep up on it and follow it. Thank you, Justin, for coming in. Mayor Arseno, I want to switch gears just a minute to um the city council passed a measure yesterday dealing with how state money will be used with regard to the 50 cent project. A, we don't have the state money committed yet, do we? Not yet, but I think you'll see an announcement about that soon. Okay. And how is the before Christmas? Yes. He's nodding his head. Yes. I I I'm nodding, Mike. I'm hopeful. It's wishful thinking. It's I'm not I'm not optimism. I'm not at liberty because that hasn't been set, but I'm hopeful it will be before Christmas. Okay. What does the council what did the council pass yesterday that deals with this? How it will be spent? What what's the process? The council the council the council has already set up the economic development district for it. This is the economic development corporation that will manage the funds that come in. Okay. And and so it it is I it is true that it's described as a nonprofit. It's a non it's really an economic development corporation a special purpose economic development corporation that will deal with these issues. So the money will come in they will decide how the monies are going to be spent under what conditions and and that will largely be the result of the agreement between gunnit or whoever is making the agreement on behalf of Mr. Jackson and the state and I think they are in the final stages of that and I think you'll see an announcement pretty soon about how that's going to work. Part of the delay for the Millennium Studios buildout for GUnit has been flooding issues. Have those been remediated or worked? We have. They haven't been remediated yet. There's several different options. Uh, as always with construction and engineers, there's uh there is the um uh there's the horse and wagon uh version and then there is the mainstream uh automobile version and then there's the Lamborghini version. And so we're trying to decide which of those vehicles we're going to use regardless all roads lead to shreport. They all roads lead to shreport. That's exactly. Now, will you or the council have any override authority over what that committee I I lost the term you use, how how the money is spent. Will y'all have some oversight? No, that that's going to be state dollars. It's going to be state dollars and the state's going to make the decisions. Okay. So, it doesn't anything how they spend it doesn't need to come before the council or have I believe so. Okay. And you're happy with that? It's not my money. But it's not a blank check that's going to Curtis Jackson. No, no, no. There'll be all kinds of there'll be all kinds of of conditions and performance requirements and and that kind of thing. But I I have been I I have received some information about that. I'm very comfortable with what it's going to do. But Stage Works is still ongo, right? Yeah, Stage Works is still ongo. They're occupying Stage Works. So, they're they're there. They're there. Have has any filming begun or anything? I I they I don't believe that it has, but that they're going to start uh with I think what they call unscripted uh right stuff, reality kind of uh stuff there because that's easier to do. And uh and I'm hopeful that once the state deal is done and announced that that will begin. The the dome, they've gotten the final environmental clearance. It looks like they're ready to start construction. Do we have any permits that have been filed? I don't know about I don't know about I do not know whether the permits have been pulled or not. Okay. I my my again my guess is that you'll see something very shortly with respect to the state deal and that that is more involved in the state deal than the leases with the city. Still moving forward with humor and harmony festival for March or has something happened with that? Uh I I do not know whether it's going to happen. uh in March uh in March or not, there were there were a lot of calendar conflicts and facility conflicts uh there and so I'm not sure how that's going to shake out. And that's an independent stadium, right? Well, that was part of the that that issue as well as um hotel and motel rooms and uh and and competition with other conventions. I mean, there was just there were a lot of logistical issues with that. So, I'm not sure that that's I'm sure it's going to I I'm pretty comfortable that it'll happen in 2026. I just not sure when. Okay. Shreport Mayor Tom Marseno in studio along with Justin Dixon. It's Ask the Mayor brought to you by Lynch's Lawn and Fence. We'll take a quick break and we'll be back. Mike and Mccardi 1017 FM 710.com. Back with more party on 1017 FM and 710 Keel [Music] Lynch's lawn and fence asked the mayor Mccardi. We've got about 2 minutes left. One more thing, Justin. If if a big data center like this one comes, does it attract new ones, other ones? So, I would hope so. Uh, I know in Virginia, in Dallas, in Atlanta, it has in the past. So, we're planning for it. Mayor, are I I know you're very very efficient. You all your life been an efficient attorney. Are there any negatives in this deal that you have concerns about? Uh, no. Um nothing is always nothing is ever 100% positive but the concerns that people have raised simply are not concerns in the structure of this particular transaction. The the tax deal people are concerned about why are we giving up taxes? Why are they getting this big tax break? We're giving up taxes that we haven't received. Okay. But they're going to pay they're going to pay a lump sum fee. Is that what they're going to do in every year? And listen, we're actually putting taxes back on. The state legislation abolished all sales tax on these and we're saying, "Hey, if you come here, you're going to pay a sales tax." Okay? And we're putting it back on, guys. Thank you so much. We've got to get this done. Got to get this done. We appreciate you coming in. Ask the Mayor Mike McCarti 1017 FM710.com. [Music] 1017 FM 710 Keel Mike Mccardi. I I've gotten to where honestly honestly it's almost not worth trying to go to a live event because if you go to a concert, somebody's going to sit behind you and talk like they're in their living room. Mhm. Yeah. Uh even when the music starts, they're going to talk over the music. I know that drives you crazy. in the movie. When we go to the movies, I'm trying to think of the last movie I went to see at the theater. We try to sit in the very back row. One, for that very reason. Yes. So nobody's behind us, right? Just sitting there carrying on their own freaking personal conversation or on their cell phone with the light. Well, and that's another thing. And they're in front of you. I like the movie theaters that have the walls. You bet. Amen. Thank you. I know it's it's less seating, but less people are going. Yes, exactly. Um but but I certainly don't want to be sitting in a movie theater and a rat run across my foot. Oh yeah. While I'm trying to watch the movie. We have that problem. I thought Isn't that incredible? I thought it was solved. And apparently it is not. Let's go through a little history. We're talking about Tinsel Town, Millisent Way, Southeast Shreport. Uh September 19th, health inspectors went in to inspect the snack bar and the theaters. They found uh critical violations, rodents being present in the theater. Um found, I believe, a uh a rodent on a on a mouse trap of some sort. Maybe one of those sticky traps. I don't I don't know. I hate those. I hate those sticky traps. Those are so nasty. They had other violations. problem with food storage, water temp in the bathrooms, dust and food residue on equipment in the snack bar and litter on the property. Those issues were taken care of. They took care of those right away. Um health inspector said, "We're going to come back. You need to take care of the rodent control. You need to get a company in here and take care of that." So, they came back on October 3rd. Okay. Just before 10:30. So, that's a couple weeks to get the situation taken care of. Health inspectors found continued problems with rodents and actually found a dead rat in one of the traps. You mean you're not picking up if if a rat gets on your trap, you're not throwing it out and putting a new again that's disgusting. So at that point, health officials said, "Hey, this is a problem. We had they had to do a call with management and say, "Y'all have to fix this or we're going to be imposing fines. We could actually close the theater down. We have the right to close the theater down if you don't take care of these problems. We will be back. We'll give you time. We will come back and we'll inspect. Okay. They went back. They were supposed to have everything corrected by November 7th. They went back on November 17th just before 10:00 a.m. This latest report shows, and I don't have the full report. I've got a public records request pending with the Department of Health, and I'm rattling some cages to get it get that full report out. But the latest report shows a violation as a result of insect/rodent control still on November 17th. The third inspection. So that's over a month now. Yes. Two months from the September visit. Oh, that's true. I'm This is their third visit. Two months. Each visit has now had a rodent control issue on it. So now, uh, Cinemark, which is the owner of the company, could be forced to shut down. They could be facing $100 a day fines if this is not corrected. I'm awaiting, you know, the the the theater is now in breach of Louisiana State Sanitary Code. Um, I'm I'm going to drive by today and see if they've done put any notices on the building or anything's happening, but we're at the point now where they may actually close the theater down. Um, if they don't impose fines, they may shut it down. They're now, from the way it looks, they sound like they're pretty disgusted. Um, I'm not sure if that's gonna happen. Be permanent, would it? Would they just just No. Give them time to Nobody can come in here until you guys get this. We come back. We do a thorough inspection. And there are no more mice in this building. Um, I was in there to see a movie Sarah's Oil, I think. Okay. A few weeks ago. And you'll notice at keelnews.com I took pictures of the rat traps they have put out. They have them around the theater in um I would say conspicuous but they're not. They're they're pretty visible. You can see them. I'm walking out the door and I see one on either side of the door. Um Eolab is the new company that's been charged that's been hired apparently by Cinemark to take care of them. And um you see those traps all around. I did eat popcorn. I did have a drink. I did. I was a little worried. I'll be quite honest, but I to be quite blunt when I first went, I forgot about it. And then when I got my popcorn, I went, "Oh, I forgot about this." But they need to clean this up. This is going to really hurt business there. Cuz this is now a third inspection, and you've still got the mention of rodents in your property. It's got to be 20 years ago now. There was a a Chinese restaurant on Kings Highway that uh got there was a news report about rats. It was a buffet style Chinese restaurant. And uh we we me and some buddies used to go regularly. Yes. And knew the owner. Super nice guy. It just he the location it was by the bayou. It was just prolific rodents, right? Uh but he got it taken care of. They came in with that and I was here when they came and put a like a big dome tent over that whole building. An extermination tent where they piped in the Yeah. After the cleanup when he reopened, we went back going, "This is the cleanest place in town." Oh, absolutely. You're not going to get a cleaner place. But that killed him. But it killed him. That's right. It killed him. People wouldn't go back. And and our last time in there, it was kind of sweet. Uh, we said, "Henry, you know, we're so sorry." And I I had brought the soy sauce bottle up to the counter when I was checking out. I said, "Look, put this on my T. I want to buy this as a Mhm. memory." I said, "Yeah." And he goes, "No, you can have it. You You take that." I said, "Wow, no, no, no. I'll pay you." He goes, "I own Chinese restaurant. I have lots of them." Yeah. I have that soy sauce bottle to this day. I'll be darn. Yeah. Well, Tal needs to get it taken care of. that that that killed his business. I think he moved to San Antonio, but the theater that's I know it's and I had a choice. I went to see the new Wicked movie over Thanksgiving and my friend texted me. She goes, "We can see it at the Robinson. We can see it at Tinsel Town." And I went the Robinson. So I went to the Robinson to see it because of the Tinsel Town. It's not going to be a whole lot better. They just maybe put a restaurant in there. I'm just saying it's clean. There's no rats running around. I I worked in the restaurant business for years. Yeah. You don't want to go I don't care what your favorite restaurant is. You don't want to go into the kitchen. I'm just saying. Don't say that. Don't say that. That's terrible. I'm not accusing anybody of any impropriety. But I'm just Every restaurant owner, it's Mike Martindale that said that. Okay. Not me. You don't want to see how this sausage is made. I'm just saying. Well, I'm waiting on the full report. I really want to see what the consequences will be. I'm wondering if it could be to the point where Cinemark just goes, "Forget it. Shut her down. Forget it. We We'll just We'll move on. It's gotten too expensive. We'll move on. That'll hugely help Boer City cuz they've got the one on the boardwalk." But Ruben, you said every time you go by there, you like even if you're going to the Goodwill Yeah. Uh it's packed. I'll be tape hunting. It'll be it'll be 11:00 in the morning and it'll be packed on a weekday. So, they're not hurting for business then. Well, it it looks okay. But I know I made a decision, a conscious decision to go downtown instead of Tinsel Town. And I'm not the only one. I'm sure. Sure. We'll see. They need to have a special screening, a holiday screening of Ratatouille. Stop it. 1017 FM 710. Ke, get back to the show with Mike and McCarti on 1017 FM and 710 Keel. Okay. I'm not saying every kitchen in a restaurant is nasty. That's not what I'm saying. I knew you were in trouble. I I am. I'm in trouble. You're in big trouble. I I our friend John Strand, who used to own Magnolia Pit. Yes. He says, "Brother, our kitchen at the Magnolia Pit was pristine when I owned the place." And I agree. I'm not saying yes. He says, "I'd rather eat in my kitchen than a hospital operating room." Mhm. Some of them are very particular about that. I understand that. I'm saying I worked in the restaurant business for a long time. You worked in some gnarly ones. It sounds like No, no, no. It's not what I'm saying. I Okay, forget it. Forget it. It's not a working argument. The quicksand is growing. It's up to my chest now. Yeah, exactly. Oh man, city pay raise I need to talk about when we come back if we can because we have we have to discuss a little bit more about that. Okay. When we get back after 8:30. But um I do want to update you on the Operation Santa Claus Oh, that's right. fund because we got about almost 2500 yesterday. Shut up. So we're now at about 125. That's the Gucci Brookers. We're Yeah, we're closing in on 13,000. Now, we're going to be at Hton tomorrow from 7 to 9. Hon is they always come through and if you live out in that area and you really want to see me shave my head, I have promised $7,000 coming through because that's that's our that's our goal. Now, we have to get $20,000 by Monday, right? And I will shave my head for Operation Santa Claus. Uh they need the help with the cash donations. So that's what I'm urging you to do. And here's the other part of that that caveat. I know if you're listening, you that lots of folks listen that have been guests on the show before and I perhaps have texted you the words you up. Mhm. If I have ever texted you you up, I need you to pony up 20 bucks, 100 bucks, whatever you can afford. If if if everybody You know who you are. You know who you are. If I've ever texted you you up. If everybody that I've texted that to donates, we're there. We'll get there. Have you ever tried caveat? I heard it's real salty. I don't caveat. Yeah. What are you? Beluga caveat. What on earth are you doing? Like what are you? I'm just wondering. Squirrel. Is there a squirrel in the or mouse in the room? But yeah, I need your help. I need you to to a QR code on the Keel Facebook page. You can go. It's on your Facebook page, my Facebook page as well. And the keelnews.com, I believe you can go there. Or Operation Santa Claus's page. They've got it on there as well. Just make a 10 $20 donation if you can make it. The mayor dropped off a hundred this morning. That was sweet of him. He dropped off a Benjamin. So, I got to thank him for that cuz Lord knows I've texted him you up a few times. So, uh if if you've ever got one, it's not and it's not a donation for every you up text. Just if you've ever gotten one. Oh, yeah. If it was ever you up. Oh, the mayor would owe me about $20,000 just on his own, right? Easy. Not a problem. So would lots of past mayors. By the way, former mayor High Totower came out Friday and gave us some cash money. So, I want to thank him for doing that. He wasn't quite Yes, he was. Uh, he always donates. He always drives by and gives us some money. So, everybody donate and I'll get the head shaved. And did I just say that? I'm going to and and wear hats. Yeah, I'll wear a lot of hats. 1017 FM 710 Keel Mike and McCarti. More breaking news and trending talk with Mike and McCarti on 1017 FM and 710 Keel. [Music] By the way, Operation Santa Cl is going to be at the Shanees in South Boer from 11 to 1 today. Mhm. Yes. That's where that's when and where they'll be. Absolutely. And tomorrow in Hton in front of Brookers, uh right there on Highway 80 tomorrow from 7 to 9. Um Friday they're going to be at Batteries Plus Bulbs on Yuri Drive. I think it's just batteries plus now. Is it? Okay. I think go by there on Friday. They'll be there, I believe, during the lunch hour. So, it's going to be a big final week as we wrap up. We need to get to 20 grand for me to shave my head. And if you call Any Batteries Plus Mhm. anywhere across the country, any Batteries Plus location, and if they put you on hold, you might recognize the voice. Oh, cool. Okay. Very cool. I was just in there the other day. My key fob died, so I went and got a new battery. There you go. They take good care of you. Good folks. They do definitely when we get back you wanted to talk about payraises the city budget and and who's getting the raises and how they ended up how the dust settled yesterday. Mike and McCarti 1017 FM 710 KE and on the free KE app. Big stories of the day with Mike and McCarti on 1017 FM and 710 KE. [Music] Want to thank Mayor Tom Marseno for coming out. I just think that's awesome that he comes and spends an hour with us. Yes. And then Justin Dixon, North Louisiana Economic Partnership, right? Uh also some great information uh on uh on the data center. But yesterday the Shreport City Council, I think they voted on the budget, right? They did. They passed the the budget. Uh, by the way, the people ask us all the time if you want to hear the mayor's interview, our entire show every day is the podcast drops right after the show. So, we don't talk about that enough. And sometime between 9 and 9:30, they send our our podcast gets uploaded to the Keel website. All you have to do is click on Mike and Mccardi on demand at keelnews.com and you can listen to the show. So, and it's also on the app as well. You bet. You can listen. You can listen to the podcast through the app. Definitely. Uh the council passed the budget for 2026. 331 million I think is the total. They're keeping uh you know uh Tom Dark the CEO kind of gave him a little snapshot of what you're doing. Keeping the reserve above that 8% mark which is critical for the bond rating agencies. They which who would like it really at 15% but 8% is like their bare minimum. So they did that. They've bought a they've put money in there for lots of new equipment for fire trucks, for police cars, for uh garbage trucks, some new packers. So, they're working on all that. It also includes payraises for a lot of folks. U for police and fire. They'll be getting a 5% pay raise. And let me break that down for you. 2% of it is longevity pay increase which is mandated by the state that the municipalities are told you have to give your police and firefighters a 2% longevity pay increase that goes into effect January 1. Okay. Okay. The rest of the the pay increase for police and fire% the other 3% kicks off May 1st. So they'll see an increase in in January then they'll see another increase in May. all other city workers that make under $75,000. Right. Okay. And I appreciate that. You bet. They'll be getting a 3% increase in pay starting May 1st. They want to make sure they get through the first quarter and the and the the money is all there and the budget is not out of completely out of whack. But I mean, I didn't hear anybody say, "Oh, if we get to May and we can't afford it, we're not going to do it." So, they're going to move forward. They're going to belt tighten if they have to in the first quarter to make sure this pay raise happens. So, it's going to go to a bunch of work workers. I asked actually for a list yesterday of all the city employees who make over $75,000. And they got that list to me very quickly. It's about 400 people, but about 75% or better, maybe closer to 80% are fire and police. So the the the number of people at city hall that make under 75,000 I mean over 75,000 it's the department heads and maybe a few deputy department heads. For the most part the folks over 75 grand are the police and firefighters. So um it'll impact a lot of city workers definitely. Now my question to the mayor was because you know we hear it a lot. Yeah, that's great. But you're going to suck it up with health insurance costs because health insurance keeps going up every year, right? But but that you can't do anything about that unless you I mean unless you look for another provider, right? And at least then you go, well, you're not losing any money, if that makes any sense. I mean, it's not the best situation, but at least you're not losing money, right? And it's not 3% of their I mean it's it's not a it's not going to take up that whole 3% because as the mayor said which is is a great deal. How many raise your hand if your company pays 76% of your health insurance costs. Yeah. Uh no there's no hands up, right? It just doesn't happen. It happens in government and that's about it. And you have a retire they have a retirement plan, too. They have benefits that in the private sector you typically don't have for most of us. So, you know, yes, you're going to see a health insurance increase. Everybody does, but it's not as big for you because the city shoulders much of the burden. So, how does this play into with this the the mayor's proposal for a 3% pay raise? How does this play into what Grayson Butcher was trying to propose, a pay raise for police? Because he's trying, and I understand his thinking. That wasn't him. That was Gary Brooks. It was Gary. Oh, it was Gary Brooks. I'm sorry. Grayson, I'm sorry. Grayson is a firefighter guy. That's right. That's right. Uh Gary Brooks's proposal um to to increase pay for police because of the recruiting issue and and we're trying to recruit and keep good police officers. So, how does this pay raise affect that? Is it is it He's not going to he's not going to move for that. He's not going to move. He didn't have support for that. Okay. So, that's not a that's not even an issue. it out as a trial balloon and it didn't it didn't work at all. So, he's uh he's kind of abandoned that idea for now. So, it it is um you know and and went with what's going on now with the with regard to the fire and police pay increase. So, they will be getting part of their pay increase in January. The rest of it is coming in May. Okay. Now, Grayson did raise a possible sin tax increase on uh alcohol and tobacco and he he raised that issue, but that didn't come up yesterday. They didn't do anything on that yesterday with regard, but that could be something in the future. But, you know, as a a a buff of uh politics, they don't raise taxes in election years. Just note to self, that doesn't happen. Next year is an election year. So you're not going to see too many tax increases on any kind of agenda next year. That won't happen. Mike and McCarti 1017 FM 710 Keel and on the free kill app of Mike and McCarti on 1017 FM and 710 Keel. [Music] You know who could make us get to the 20 grand mark easy? Mackenzie Scott, ex-wife of Jeff Bezos. That I I You can't reach reach out for money from her though. She doesn't allow I can't even. You said she gave away gave away Yep. this year. 7 billion dollar. Okay. First of all, kudos to her. Abs freakingutely. Yeah. You're Wow. I know. Now, of course, she didn't earn it. Of course, she might say, "Do you know what I had to do to get that money?" Oh, absolutely. Absolutely. I saw some some uh on the social media post on that uh people were putting people were getting men were getting in trouble because they were putting like, "It's not her money. It's not her money." I'm like, "Damn, Skippy, it is now. You're right. What? Who knows what Jeff Bezos was like?" How much money do you have? Yeah. If you give away seven billion just in a year, one year, but you said she she has a net worth of 33 billion. 33 billion. So imagine she earns 10% on her money, which those billionaires can do. Wow. They know what they're doing or they have people that know what they're doing. So she's earning three billion a year on her her worth just just doing nothing. sitting there $3 billion a year just in interest on her money. So to give away 7 billion, she's given away about two years or so of her interest. Um cuz probably one year she made over 10%. And she doesn't, this is an interesting thing about her. She doesn't take solicitations like you cannot apply for her money. You know, most of those big charities you send you submit an application for a grant funding or whatever. She doesn't take those. She identifies the folks on her own, her foundation does, and then she donates. In Louisiana, she's donated to Dillard University, Xavier, uh, some of the H.B.CU in our in our communities. She's donated. I haven't found any nonprofits in Louisiana yet that she's donated, but I'm still looking for that. I'm sure she donates to like the Republican National Convention, and I don't know about that. I don't know about that. Maybe not, Mikey Boo. But that's a lot of money, man. You can give away seven billion. I'll never miss it. I'll I'll have more next year to give away. That's a lot of moola. That's a lot of moola. So, she could get me to my 20 G's if she wanted. Oh, she could she would never miss it. That that that's that's lost in the dryer money to her. Yeah. That's a Starbucks run, you know. Wow. That's just incredible. But lots of charities are helped by her her philanthropic efforts. So, there's no doubt. I don't think there's too many other charitable guys that are giving away 7 billion a year. That's a lot of money. Maybe Bill Gates. Is it Bill Gates's ex-wife? Are they exes now? I have no idea. I don't keep up with that stuff. She gives away a lot of money, too. So, I you know, I don't know. But golly, to be to to be able to give away away seven billion, never miss it. I remember I I I remember years ago uh I don't know if you were talking about lottery or whatever and I said, "Man, if I had ex, you know, money, that'd solve all my problems." Yeah. And my mom goes, "Then you really don't have problems, do you?" I said, "Pretty great way to look at it." Tonight, by the way, Powerball's 930 million tonight. This is the night on that. Yeah, I'd be all right. I'd be all right. I could live on I could live on the you know you only get 2 million after all the if you take the lump sum but you'll get a pile of money you'll be all right. Yeah I'll be all right no doubt. If you missed ask the mayor segment this hour uh it was a great one Mayor Tom Mars along with Justin Dixon. He ended up staying uh most of the hour with us. You bet. Uh you can hear that in the 6:00 hour tomorrow. Mike and McCarti 1017 FM710key.com.