Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Municipal Budget topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Bossier City Council adopts 2026 budgets, approves redemption of 2015A revenue bonds
Summary
The Bossier City Council on Nov. 11 adopted ordinances finalizing the 2026 city budgets and approved a resolution to redeem outstanding 2015A revenue bonds; staff said an ordinance to appropriate funds for payoff will be presented at the next meeting and estimated roughly $905,000 in annual savings.
The Bossier City Council on Tuesday approved the city’s 2026 budgets and a resolution to redeem outstanding revenue bonds, moves city staff said will reduce annual debt service by roughly $905,000.
The council opened a public hearing to consider final adoption of the City of Bossier City’s proposed 2026 budgets and capital budgets. After brief staff remarks and a short exchange about early-payoff penalties, members voted by voice to adopt the ordinances. "That will amount to, approximately $905,000 a year in annual savings," a staff member said when describing the planned payoff and the related ordinance that will be presented at the next meeting.
Why it matters: Final adoption of the budget sets the city’s spending plan and capital priorities for 2026; the related bond redemption is intended to reduce future debt service costs, freeing resources for operations or capital needs. Council members combined items 2 through 29 on the agenda for efficiency before voting on the budget ordinances.
What the council did: Councilman Gerard moved, and Councilman Cliff Smith seconded, to approve the day’s agenda by voice vote. Later, Councilman Chris Smith moved, seconded by Councilman Cliff Smith, to combine agenda items 2–29 under old business; the motion carried by voice vote with no recorded opposition or abstentions. The council then moved to adopt ordinances adopting the 2026 city budgets and capital budgets; that motion was made by Councilwoman Ross and seconded by Councilman Gerard, and the council approved the ordinances by voice vote.
Bond redemption: Under new business the council adopted a resolution "providing for the redemption of the outstanding Louisiana local government environmental facilities and community development authority revenue bonds, City of Bossier City, Louisiana project, series 2015A" on first and final reading. Councilman Hammond moved the measure and Councilwoman Ross seconded; the council approved the resolution by voice vote. City staff told the council an ordinance appropriating funds to effect the early payoff will be placed on the next meeting agenda, and said staff is evaluating other potential savings while noting that early-payoff penalties may apply.
Procedural notes and next steps: The council conducted voice voting because the usual voting software was unavailable. Staff committed to present a companion appropriation ordinance at the next meeting to implement the bond redemption. No public speakers opposed or requested substantive changes during the hearing as recorded in the meeting transcript. The council also previewed its 2026 meeting calendar and said future meetings will take place at the municipal complex inside the City Courtroom; December 16 will be the last meeting in the current room.
Other items: The meeting opened with an invocation and pledge and included brief mayoral remarks thanking members for work on the budget. Council members also asked the public to keep first responders and an ill Councilman Maggio in their thoughts. The meeting adjourned with no further business.
