Answer

R.S. 13:782(A)(1) states that Clerks of Court establish their own rates of compensation which rates shall not exceed the chart in the statute. If the population is less than 50,000, the maximum rate of base compensation is $88,000. There is no cost of living index increase included in this provision (which increases are included in other provisions in the revised statutes). Instead, the rate is based on population with a provision for increase should the population increase. There is also a possiblilty for additions to the base salary under the certification provision of R.S. 13:782(I) and the supplemental pay provision of R.S. 13:761. The latter is from the Clerk's Supplemental Compensation Fund. Paragraph (H) provides for an additional 10% supplement to the annual compensation as an expense allowance. R.S. 13:761 specifically states that the supplemental compensation "shall be in addition to any compensation otherwise authorized by law and... shall not be considered or included in the calculation of the maximum compensation or minimum compensation...". If the Clerk qualifies for the 7% increase for educational or experience credit, this is calculated on the base salary. AG Op. 97-395 states that the 7% cannot be applied to the combination of the base plus salary supplements. Instead it is applied to the base only. The total combined compensation is considered "annual compensation." The 10% expense is a separate payment. Thus, assuming a clerk qualifies for all the supplements, the calculation is .10 [base per statute +.07(Base if certified) + Supplement per R.S. 13:761] for the total possible compensation and expense. See AG Op. 95-189. Louisiana Legislative Auditor website: 04/04/2026 02:52:01 AM