Bossier City Council adopts multiple ordinances, resolutions and appointments on Aug. 26; listing of actions and outcomes

The Bossier City Council on Aug. 26 adopted a series of ordinances, approved personnel resolutions, introduced first-readings and confirmed appointments. Below is a consolidated list of voted items, the motions and recorded outcomes.

Votes at a glance (selected items from the Aug. 26 meeting):

- Sewer lift station (Final reading): Adopted an ordinance allocating $200,000 from the Sewer Capital and Contingency Fund to construct a sanitary sewer lift station along Viva Drive and Shed Road. Motion by Councilman Hammonds; second by Councilman Maggio. Motion carried unanimously.

- 2025 ad valorem taxes (Final reading): Adopted the annual ordinance levying ad valorem taxes for 2025; council confirmed the total millage on the record as 21.5. Motion by Councilwoman Ross; second by Councilman Gerard. Motion carried unanimously.

- Arena operations budget amendment (Final reading): Adopted an amendment to the 2025 arena operations special revenue fund budget under the Local Government Budget Act. Motion by Councilman Gerard; second by Councilwoman Ross. Motion carried unanimously.

- 2024 citywide street improvements change order (Final reading): Approved change order #1 with an $8,500 increase for a revised contract total of $146,125. Motion by Councilman Hammonds; second by Councilman Cliff Smith. Motion carried unanimously.

- Water meter replacement (Final reading): Adopted an ordinance allocating $3,000,000 to fund phase 1 of the water meter replacement project. Motion by Councilman Hammonds; second by Councilman Cliff Smith. Motion carried unanimously.

- Purchase-agreement authorization (Final reading): Adopted an ordinance authorizing the mayor to execute a purchase agreement in conjunction with Ordinance 94 of 2023 (related to a senior-center building). Motion by Councilman Hammonds; second by Councilwoman Ross. Motion carried unanimously.

- Traffic controls (Final reading): Adopted an ordinance to install three 4-way stop signs at specified intersections. Motion by Councilman Hammonds; second by Councilwoman Ross. Motion carried unanimously.

- Cooperative agreement with Bossier Council on Aging (Final reading): Adopted a cooperative endeavor agreement enabling the BCOA to use premises for senior programs; the council separately continued the second reading of a related cooperative-agreement ordinance until Sept. 10 to allow bond counsel review. Motion by Councilman Hammonds; second by Councilman Maggio. Motion carried unanimously for the adopted cooperative agreement; the second-reading matter was postponed unanimously.

- Conditional-use approvals (final/first & final readings): The council adopted conditional-use approvals for retail sale of low-content alcohol (final reading) and approved a conditional-use license for a liquor store at 5520 Shed Road (first and final reading). The liquor-store approval carried with one vote against (Councilman Hammonds) and included a condition on hours (10 a.m.–10 p.m. weekdays; 10 a.m.–11 p.m. weekends).

- Introductions and first readings: The council introduced several first-read ordinances including an amendment to Ordinance 76 of 2025 to correct typographical errors and addresses; an appropriation of $350,000 from the Streets & Drainage Fund as local match for Benton Road repairs; a cooperative endeavor with the Bossier Parish Coroner and Sheriff to establish a local SANE (nurse examiner) program under La. Rev. Stat. 40:12.16.1; an ordinance to declare surplus equipment; and an ordinance to annex approximately 1 acre adjacent to current city limits east of Swan Lake Road and south of Innovation Drive. All introductions passed on voice votes.

- Personnel and operational resolutions (first and/or final readings): The council adopted resolutions authorizing the hiring or promotion of a dispatcher control clerk, a maintenance mechanic 2, a utility worker 2 for the water treatment plant, and an accounts clerk 2 in customer service. Motions carried unanimously.

- Parade permit waiver and appointments: The council approved a parade-permit fee waiver for Parkway High School’s homecoming parade (Sept. 25), and confirmed reappointments including Creighton Cochran to the Shreveport-Bossier Sports Commission and Donald J. Wilhite to the Cypress Black Bayou Recreation and Water Conservation District board. Motions carried unanimously.

What was discussed: Several items drew public comment, most notably the purchase/renovation of a senior-center facility (Ordinance 94 of 2023) and related cooperative agreements; the council heard detailed public input about the senior center’s size, funding and the BCOA’s financial constraints. The council also heard comment about conditional-use permits for retail alcohol and about contractor activity related to utility construction (AT&T) in residential neighborhoods.

Ending: The meeting’s formal calendar concluded with unanimous votes on the listed measures and several first-read introductions; the council scheduled follow-up and additional review (notably bond-counsel review on the BCOA cooperative agreement) ahead of the Sept. 10 meeting.