City Council

PROCEEDINGS OF THE BOSSIER CITY COUNCIL FINANCE COMMITTEE MEETING BOSSIER CITY, LA, STATE OF LOUISIANA TAKEN OCTOBER 14, 2025 AT 11:00AM The City Council Finance Committee, City of Bossier City, State of Louisiana, held a committee meeting in the Council Chambers, 620 Benton Road, Bossier City, Louisiana, October 14, 2025 at 11:00 AM Committee Chair Joel Girouard called the meeting to order. Also Present: Administrative Assistant, Emily Pitts and City Clerk, Phyllis McGraw Committee Chair Joel Girouard opened the meeting by naming Councilmember Cliff Smith as the Vice Chair and Councilwoman Debra W. Ross as the Treasurer. He also provided an overview of what would be discussed during the meeting and any actions that might be taken. Mrs. Ross noted the donations and projects she would like to see budgeted for 2026, including a one-time donation to the Ronald McDonald House. She would also like included a pay increase for part-time employees, Hamilton Road redone and attention to Scott and Green Streets. Mr. Girouard asked CAO, Amanda Nottingham about the current status of the Hamilton Road project. Mrs. Nottingham stated that they were getting estimates on project costs so that it can be submitted to the state with the Capital Outlay application and that project timelines could vary based on possible funding from the State. Mr. Girouard, Mrs. Ross and Mrs. Nottingham discussed raises for part-time employees. Mrs. Nottingham noted that the lowest part-time rate is $12.40 per hour and usually Department Heads would communicate with Administration if there was a need for additional funds. Upon further discussion, Mr. Girouard noted that maybe the City Attorney should look into the legality of donations. Mr. Girouard stated that he would like to take $11.5 million of the LCDA money and pay off the remainder of a $13 million bond which will save tax payers around $4.9 million in interest over the next 15 years. He added that this would also free up $900,000 that City won’t have to pay for debt service. Mr. Cliff Smith and Mrs. Nottingham discussed the interest rates for the bond the City is currently paying and the interest on the money earned. Mrs. Nottingham that the current interest rate is 5% and that it fluctuates during the latter part of the bond to about 4%. Mr. Girouard discussed with Mrs. Nottingham that he would like to look into the possibility of cutting 2% to 3% from budgets that requested an increase in 2026 over 6%. They also discussed the amount budgeted for mowing and street sweeping and status of RFP’s. Mrs. Ross and Mrs. Nottingham discussed the 5-year Capital Project Plan and Mrs. Nottingham explained that it’s more of a wish list containing projects that currently there isn’t a funding source for but that the City would like to incorporate at some point. Mr. Girouard then opened the meeting up for public comment. Audience member David Crockett discussed his concerns about the 2026 Budgets and the information that was given. Councilman Brian Hammons spoke as an Audience member and noted that he would be holding an Infrastructure Committee meeting in about two weeks and that $300,000 was just added to funds used for projects in each Council District. He told Mrs. Ross that he will discuss what has been done in her district with Mr. Wade Rich, the Director of Public Works, and determine how much of her allocation has been spent. Mr. Cliff Smith also requested to get information into what has been spent thus far, in each Council District. Mr. Hammons also would be requesting a traffic study done on Hamilton Road now that the carriageway has opened up. Audience member Duke Lowry, and Mr. Girouard discussed the LCDA Bond being used to pay off the balance of the $13 Million Dollar Bond and what amount that would need to be used from General Fund to cover the difference. Mr. Girouard noted it would be $1.5 million. Audience Member, Councilman Chris Smith, referenced his meeting with Mrs. Nottingham concerning the benefits of paying of the bond early and also ways to generate revenue and cut down on costs. He thanked Mrs. Nottingham and Mayor Chandler for working with the Council. He added that they will also be looking at the City’s Vehicle Take Home Policy. Mr. Cliff Smith and Mrs. Nottingham discussed the need for camera systems in Shady Grove. She stated that they were still waiting on a quote before they included it in the budget. Mrs. Nottingham also added that the 2026 budget proposal would not include the paying off of the bond due to that not being approved by Council yet. Mrs. Ross reminded everyone about her Town Hall Meeting on October 20 at Hooter Park. Mr. Girouard thanked the administration for their help and answering all of his questions, including the Finance Department. Audience member and Councilmember Chris Smith, provided a quick update on the audit the City Council had called for and that it has been moving along well. He also thanked Mrs. Williamson for providing the auditing firm with the requested information. There being no further business to come before this committee, Committee Chair, Joel Girouard adjourned the meeting at 11:52AM Respectfully submitted: ____________________________ Emily Pitts, Administrative Assistant Publish November 5, 2025