Dear Mr. Leonard,
In your correspondence of recent date you relate that a vacancy has occurred in the position of Councilman of the Parish Council, Parish of St. Mary. The Council is considering appointing a person who serves as the Director of the Morgan City Housing Authority. A question has arisen concerning the legality of the appointment considering the Dual Officeholding and Dual Employment Laws, LSA-R.S. 42:61, et seq.
The office of parish councilman is a local elective office. The Board of Commissioners of the Public Housing Authority of Morgan City hires its Director, and therefore that position is considered one of employment.
LSA-R.S. 42:63(D) provides that no person may hold employment in the same political subdivision in which he holds elective office. However, the parish and the municipality are separate political subdivisions as defined in LSA-R.S. 42:62(9). Therefore, the director of the Morgan City Housing Authority would be holding employment in a political subdivision separate from the St. Mary Parish Council, and that arrangement is permissible.
In conclusion, the director of a municipal housing authority may also serve as a member of the parish council without violating the dual officeholding laws.
Very truly yours,
RICHARD P. IEYOUB ATTORNEY GENERAL
BY: ___________________________ KERRY L. KILPATRICK ASSISTANT ATTORNEY GENERAL
KLK:ams
Date Received: 07/24/96 Date Released: 07/24/96
KERRY L. KILPATRICK ASSISTANT ATTORNEY GENERAL