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Commission introduces $32,500 appropriation for Louisiana Rugaroo football team amid public concern
Summary
Clerk introduced Ordinance 6612 to appropriate $32,500 from the Economic Development Fund for the Louisiana Rugaroo football team; a local resident questioned the wisdom of the expenditure and asked for details on purchase price, marketing plans and ticket distribution.
The Caddo Parish Commission introduced Ordinance 6612 of 2026 to amend the Economic Development Fund budget and appropriate $32,500 for the Louisiana Rugaroo football team. The item was placed on the agenda by the Economic Development Committee and read into the record by the clerk as an introduction for future consideration.
Earlier in the meeting during citizen comment, Tyler James Lee Bargainquast spoke against the proposed use of parish funds, saying he did not think the investment would be "a good use of our funds" and urging commissioners to ask for additional details. Bargainquast asked what price the team owner paid for the franchise, which marketing agency would be used (and whether it was local), and how criteria for the 50 complimentary tickets reportedly earmarked for nonprofits, churches and schools would be determined.
Clerks and commissioners acknowledged the public comment and introduced the ordinance for later consideration; the transcript does not record a vote on Ordinance 6612 during this session. Commissioners and the clerk noted the item had been referred from committee and would be considered in sequence with related budget and ordinance items.
Because the ordinance was only introduced in this session, commissioners did not adopt a funding appropriation at this meeting; further committee or full-board action will be needed to move the appropriation into the budget.
