The Lafayette city-parish council will meet today at 5:30 p.m. to approve the 09 budget for Lafayette Consolidated Government. The council has been in budget hearings for the past two months and has made only minor changes to City-Parish President Joey Durel’s proposed budget . Notable initiatives in the budget include $12 million for a new city employee pay adjustment plan. LCG is conducting a study through its Human Resources department to ensure all city job salaries are on par with their private sector equivalents; Durel hopes the adjustment will make it easier for LCG to retain quality employees. Other items that have generated some discusssion includes the continued funding of nonprofit “external” agencies, including PASA and Festival International (A move to by councilman William Theriot to phase out the funding was defeated by a 7-2 vote), as well a new proposal by Durel allocating $100,000 to each council district for small capital outlay projects to be decided by each councilman. The meeting will also be the last for the council’s senior member, Bruce Conque, who is stepping down in order to take a new position with the Greater Lafayette Chamber of Commerce. The council meets tomorrow to appoint Conque’s replacement.