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Shreveport council introduced midyear budget amendments, including $1.4 million for police vehicles
Summary
City staff introduced a package of midyear budget and capital amendments on Aug. 26 that would add roughly $5.3 million in revenue to the general fund and authorize $1.4 million for roughly 30 police vehicles; all items were introduced for later consideration rather than adopted.
City staff introduced a package of midyear budget and capital amendments at the Shreveport City Council meeting on Aug. 26 that would add roughly $5.3 million in additional general-fund revenue and request $1.4 million to buy police vehicles.
City staff member Dart summarized the stack of ordinances and said, “We are asking you to amend the general fund budget by approving $1,400,000 to purchase, police vehicles.” The staff presentation tied part of the funding to stronger-than-expected oil-and-gas revenues this year.
The measures described by staff would reallocate new revenues to several priorities: about $1.2 million for Property Standards to continue demolition and weed-abatement work, roughly $1.08 million to general government risk funds, and approximately $1.5 million for police fuel and contract repairs and maintenance. The ordinance requesting $1.4 million for vehicles also proposes to use about $450,000 from public-safety funds so the city can acquire roughly 30 new cruisers, staff said.
Councilman Brooks asked whether the new vehicles would be marked squad cars; staff replied they expect to purchase the same vehicle model in the city’s current fleet. In response to a question about paint and equipment, staff deferred some specifics to police leadership.
Other budget adjustments in the package include transfers between the water-and-sewer fund and the general fund to meet bond-coverage requirements, a $3 million-plus addition to the retained-risk fund drawn from several sources, and increases to the solid-waste and golf funds tied to higher-than-expected revenue.
All of the ordinances were introduced for later consideration; staff said several items require additional publication or public hearings and cannot be adopted at the same meeting. Council members requested a clearer breakdown showing each department’s increases and the exact source lines for the new money.
The council did not vote on the amendments during the Aug. 26 session. The ordinances were given first reading and will return for a second reading or a public hearing at a later meeting.
