Bossier City Council approves multiple ordinances, emergency sewer repair and bond payoff introduction

The Bossier City Council on Nov. 18 approved a series of ordinances, resolutions and routine actions, handling land sales, surplus declarations, personnel and procurement items largely by voice vote.

On unfinished business the council adopted, on final reading, an ordinance authorizing sale of property identified as assessment number 148723 to Delta Airline LLC for $295,000; council staff confirmed legal notice requirements had been met. The council also adopted a measure expanding the industrial tax exemption program for SelectSone (final reading) and amended ordinance 107 of 2007 to remain in compliance with the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality, all by voice vote.

The council approved several operational items on final reading, including a part‑time wastewater plant operator position for the Red River Treatment Plant and a ordinance declaring two fire trucks surplus to the needs of the Bossier City Fire Department and authorizing their sale. It also declared certain city lots in the Nellie Subdivision surplus to the city's needs with discussion about access, sewer and water availability to the sites.

Under new business the council adopted an emergency ordinance to restore sewer service on Shed Road and to install a sewer manhole and gravity main on John Wesley Boulevard, authorizing $94,500 from the Sewer Capital Contingency Fund for that work. The council introduced (first reading) an ordinance to appropriate $13,119,119 from the Parkway Capital Projects Fund to pay off 2015 LCDA bonds; finance director Angela Williamson said the principal being retired is $13,050,000 and estimated interest savings of $4,920,306 over the remaining life of the debt.

Council introduced first readings for a $250,000 network upgrade from the Parkway Capital budget to improve city network reliability and for $421,757 from the Public Safety and Health Trust Fund to purchase tasers for the police department and city marshal; related agreements with Axon Enterprise Inc. to provide devices and training were authorized for signature by Mayor Thomas H. Chandler on first readings.

The council also introduced change orders 14 and 15 for the Walter O'Bigbee Carriageway phase 2 project, reconciling billed quantities across related work and producing a net increase of roughly $19,760.67 to close out construction with J.B. James Construction LLC; staff said the reconciliation includes work quantities from Citizens Bank Drive that had been added to the carriageway contract.

Several surplus declarations, a donation of surplus furniture to the town of Sibley, a parade permit fee waiver for the Independence Bowl Mardi Gras preview parade, and a resolution certifying off‑system bridge program compliance for 2025–26 were approved. Where votes were not recorded roll call, the council used voice votes with members saying “aye” and the clerk noting the motion carried.

No contested roll‑call tallies were recorded in the transcript for these items; most motions were moved and seconded by council members Hammond (also spelled Hammons in the transcript), Gerard, Cliff Smith and Ross and carried by voice vote. The council also heard a monthly financial report from Finance Director Angela Williamson and a project update from city project staff, and approved continuing committee coordination changes while council chamber renovations continue.

Next steps: several introduced ordinances (first readings and appropriations) will return for subsequent readings per the council’s schedule; staff said additional documentation and financial details (e.g., exact debt‑service schedules) will be shared through committee channels and the finance office.