Bossier City Council faces backlash over term limits amid ongoing legal battle

The State Bond Commission of Louisiana convened on December 12, 2024, to address several key agenda items, primarily focusing on bond approvals and updates on local government projects.

The meeting commenced with the approval of items 52 through 67, which included a long list of projects supported by attorney Kelly Longwell Rees. Representative McMakin moved for their approval, which was seconded by President Henry, and passed without objection.

Next, the commission discussed item 68, an amendment for the Industrial Development Board (IDB) of the City of DeRidder concerning the Stein LLC project. The request involved increasing the interest rate parameter for bonds to 6.5% due to their taxable status. This amendment was also approved following a motion by Representative McMakin and a second from President Henry.

Items 69 through 71 were presented as requests from the Division of Administration for non-cash lines of credit totaling over $315 million. This included over $214 million for state projects, more than $87 million for local government projects, and over $12 million for NGO projects. Roger Hesser, Assistant Commissioner, provided an overview, explaining that these requests were primarily to clean up remaining lines of credit for the year. The commission approved these items unanimously.

The meeting then shifted to an update on general obligation gas and fuels tax refunding bonds. The commission had previously approved the issuance of up to $1 billion in refunding bonds, with successful sales resulting in significant savings. The next steps include beginning tender processes in January and anticipating a new money bond sale before the legislative session.

The final significant discussion centered on item 7, which involved propositions for the City of Bossier City regarding charter amendments and term limits for elected officials. The propositions were a response to a citizen-led petition for retroactive term limits, which the city council had not acted upon. The council had instead proposed prospective term limits, leading to a contentious debate about the validity and urgency of the citizens' petition versus the council's recommendations.

Supporters of the citizen petition argued for the need to place both versions on the ballot, emphasizing the importance of allowing voters to decide. Opponents expressed concerns about the procedural aspects and the potential for confusion among voters. The commission ultimately faced a decision on whether to advance the council's propositions for the March 29 ballot, with discussions highlighting the ongoing legal challenges surrounding the issue.

In conclusion, the meeting addressed critical financial approvals and highlighted the ongoing debate over governance in Bossier City, reflecting the complexities of local political dynamics and citizen engagement in the legislative process. The commission's decisions will have significant implications for funding local projects and the future of term limits in Bossier City.