The Caddo Parish Commission voted on and adopted the 2026 operating and capital budgets in a special session, approving a series of ordinance amendments across multiple funds and recording final adoption of the package with 12 in support and none opposed.

Commissioners approved an amendment to Ordinance 6568 (Capital Outlay Fund) to appropriate $2.5 million to the sheriff for office space, a measure described in the chamber as required by law and recommended by the Long Range Planning Committee. Vice President Ken Epperson moved the rules and the capital amendment was adopted during the session.

The package included a $40,000 addition to the General Fund marketing line in Ordinance 6569 to promote relocation to Caddo Parish. "It's an allocation to advertise the livability and terrific qualities that Caddo Parish offers...to encourage [residents] to consider relocating here," Commissioner John Paul Young said during discussion of the marketing amendment.

A notable debate focused on funding for the Metropolitan Planning Commission (MPC). Commissioner Crackman proposed reducing the MPC allocation in Ordinance 6569 by $118,275 (from $325,000 to $206,725), citing an 8.7% reduction the city of Shreveport implemented and prior third-party study costs of about $90,000. Commissioners asked for more data from MPC and the parish administrator about whether the same level of services could be delivered at a lower contract value. After a call for the question to end debate, the reduction amendment failed 5–7.

Other fund actions included adoption of public works budgets (Ordinances 6570–6573) in globo and an amendment to Ordinance 6574 (Solid Waste Fund) to appropriate $75,000 for professional litter-pickup services. The commission also amended Ordinance 6576 (Health Tax Fund) to add $40,000 for professional services to mitigate a feral hog problem, which passed unanimously.

The commission adopted Ordinance 6577 (Biomedical Foundation Fund) and amended Ordinance 6578 (Riverboat Fund) to reduce appropriations by $170,677; the riverboat amendment passed and the ordinances were adopted as amended. Ordinance 6579 (Criminal Justice Fund) was amended to transfer funds to the capital outlay fund to support the sheriff office space appropriation. Commissioners voted to adopt the remaining ordinances in the 6580–6595 series, including economic development fund amendments for Visit Shreveport and grants to local events and organizations, and the full 2026 operating and capital budget was adopted by unanimous recorded support.

Votes at a glance
- Ordinance 6568 (Capital Outlay Fund): Amendment to appropriate $2.5M to sheriff office space — adopted (amendment carried; ordinance amended).
- Ordinance 6569 (General Fund): $40,000 marketing increase adopted; proposed MPC reduction ($118,275) failed (5–7); final adoption 12–0 as amended.
- Ordinances 6570–6573 (Public Works and related funds): adopted in globo 12–0.
- Ordinance 6574 (Solid Waste Fund): $75,000 for litter pickup amendment adopted; fund adopted as amended.
- Ordinance 6576 (Health Tax Fund): $40,000 for feral hog mitigation adopted (12–0).
- Ordinance 6577 (Biomedical Foundation): adopted (12–0).
- Ordinance 6578 (Riverboat Fund): appropriation reduced by $170,677; amendment adopted (12–0); ordinance adopted as amended (11–1 on final vote as recorded).
- Ordinance 6579 (Criminal Justice Fund): transfer to capital outlay to fund sheriff office space appropriation adopted.
- Ordinance 6583 and related economic development ordinances: amendments to fund Visit Shreveport events and local grants adopted; many remaining ordinances (6580–6595) adopted in globo; final budget adoption recorded as 12–0.

Why it matters
Adoption of the 2026 operating and capital budgets sets county spending priorities for the year, channels one-time and ongoing funds to public safety, public works and economic development, and changes several contracted service levels that commissioners debated, most notably the Metropolitan Planning Commission contract level and third-party study funding.

What’s next
The commission concluded the special session after adopting the budgets and amendments. Staff and affected departments were directed (during discussion) to provide additional data on contracted services where commissioners requested further information; commissioners noted contracts would not be signed until they had the requested data where applicable.

Attribution and sourcing
Reporting here draws only on the commission’s verbatim special session transcript and recorded votes.