Council reviews civic center staffing and parks' sponsorship and merchandise plans

City staff told the council the 2026 draft budget includes a proposed civic-center executive-director position that would consolidate booking and management duties into a single, funded role; the budget currently carries an unfilled booking-manager line.

Councilmembers asked why the civic-center salary and benefits line rises substantially between the 2025 and 2026 columns in the draft; Nottingham said part of the increase reflects transferring an existing staff person’s full salary and benefits to the civic-center account rather than splitting the cost between public affairs and the civic center. Nottingham said the final staffing decision has not been made and the booking-manager option, an executive director or a contracted-manager approach remain under consideration.

Parks and recreation staff, represented by Mary, described plans to expand revenue through sponsorships and merchandise. Mary said the city will start with online merchandise sales for the Bossier Tennis Center twice a year (sweatshirts, T-shirts, towels) rather than maintaining an on-site store; proceeds would go to the city. She also said the department has existing sponsors (Harvey Toyota contributes about $17,500 annually for tennis) and is pursuing title and field sponsors and merchandise sales for future revenue. The council discussed leasing concessions versus city-run concessions; staff said concessions currently make money but leasing could be considered.

Ending: Staff said no final decision on civic-center staffing has been made; sponsorship and merchandise revenue plans are in development and not yet included in revenue projections.