Shreveport Council Votes to Put Five Bond Props on Ballot

With limited discussion, the Shreveport City Council has unanimously agreed to put five bond proposals on the November 13 ballot.

Shreveport Mayor issued this statement:

I would like to commend the City Council for unanimously approving a bond vote. This has nothing to do with politics, but is about solving city problems that have been too long neglected. We just completed listening-sessions around the city targeting the $48 million we will receive from the American Rescue Plan (ARP) funds, and the needs that we heard directly from residents far exceeds that money. It was clear that we needed to go out for a bond issue.

Here is the verbiage from the five proposals:

PROPOSITION NO. 1 Police and Fire

$70,650,000 for the purposes of constructing, acquiring, and improving public facilities and equipment for police department and fire department, along with acquiring the necessary buildings, land and/or rights therein, equipment and furnishings therefore, which bonds will be general obligations of the City and will be payable from ad valorem taxes.

PROPOSITION NO. 2 Technology

$22,740,000 for the purposes of technological upgrades and improvements, and economic development, including but not limited to industrial park and workforce development facilities and acquiring necessary buildings, land and/or rights therein, equipment and furnishings.

PROPOSITION NO. 3 Water and Sewer

$64,700,000 for the purposes of constructing, acquiring, and/or improving water and sewer systems, along with acquiring necessary buildings, land and/or equipment and furnishings.

PROPOSITION NO. 4 Roads and Drainage

$63,375,000 for the purposes of constructing, acquiring, and/or improving streets, highways, bridges, and drainage systems.

PROPOSITION NO. 5 SPAR

$21,135,000 for the purposes of constructing, acquiring, and/or improving public facilities for parks and recreation, along with acquiring the necessary buildings, land and/or rights.

This will be the 3rd attempt at getting voters to approve bond proposals to make improvements in Shreveport. In 2019, the voters turned down $186 million in bond proposals. Earlier this year, the Mayor pulled the plug on a $207 million dollar bond package when he could not win the support of the council.

Click here to take a look at the list of projects.