DCFS Secretary gets massive pay cut, Deputy Sec leaving agency

BATON ROUGE, La. (WAFB) - The head of Louisiana's Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) has received a massive pay cut, reportedly at his request.

Meanwhile, the number two person in that key state agency is moving to another position in state government.

The compensation for DCFS Secretary David Matlock has been reduced from $175,000 per year to $50,648 per year, according to paperwork leaked to WAFB.

The "personnel action request" was signed by Commissioner of Administration Taylor Barras on Wednesday, September 18.

When asked about the drastic pay reduction, Will Frentz, Special Assistant to Barras, said Matlock personally asked for the pay reduction. "It came at his request," Frentz said.

In a statement emailed to WAFB late Thursday, Matlock said he is not leaving the department. "I love this job," Matlock said. "This is the best job I've ever had. I'm not going anywhere." He did not say why he reportedly asked that his pay be reduced.

Matlock was appointed to the position in January 2024 by Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry. He previously served as Chief Judge of the Juvenile Court in Caddo Parish.

In an email, Landry Press Secretary Elizabeth Crochet also told WAFB Thursday afternoon that Matlock is not leaving the agency.

Meanwhile, Deputy Secretary Toby Comeaux, the number two in the department, is moving to the Louisiana College and Technical Colleges System.

His new position there will be Vice President of Administration, a spokesperson for that organization told WAFB. Comeaux starts his new job next week.

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