Big items on Shreveport-Bossier resident’s ballots this Saturday

SHREVEPORT, La. – Saturday is a big election day, especially for Shreveport and Bossier City and Bossier Parish residents. Bossier City residents will vote on two tax renewals. In Shreveport, three new bonds are on the ballot.

The Shreveport Bond Package

The Shreveport bond package includes three propositions totaling $256.4 million. More than $125 million will improve streets and drainage, $82 million will address deferred water and sewer projects, and more than $49 million will go to major repairs and improvements to public safety facilities, parks, and public gathering spaces.

Shreveport Mayor Tom Arceneaux says this money is needed to move the city forward. “We’re dealing with our infrastructure issues, it’s an investment, it’s a very reasonable investment that will pay dividends bigger than the investment,” said Arceneaux.

If passed, Arceneaux says the first bonds will be sold in the fall. Some water and sewer projects could begin by the end of the year, but street repairs will take longer to get started.

“Streets have to be designed and we don’t have the money to design the streets until we sell the bonds for the streets. So the streets will definitely take into 2025 before we’ll see dirt turned on the streets,” said Arceneaux.

Arceneaux says if voters reject the bonds, it will put the city even farther behind when it comes to repairing Shreveport’s already eroding infrastructure. The city has held public forums and conducted a social media campaign to convince voters.

Shreveport resident Lamar Baker came to LSUS Wednesday night to learn more. “I came to ask my questions to see what the city’s presentation was going to look like. I hope it passes,” said Baker. “I like it this time around because it’s spread out, sort of all over the city rather than being in one district or two districts. Everybody gets a little piece of the pie.”

Bossier City Tax Renewals

For Bossier City residents, their ballot will include two renewal propositions. Mayor Tommy Chandler says the money will help support city fire and police. “It is simply to renew the tax that we already pay that provides for salaries and equipment for our firefighters and our police departments that allow them to do their jobs and keep us safe every day,” said Chandler.

Bossier Parish Bond Renewal

Voters in Bossier Parish will decide whether to renew a bond supporting the Cypress Black Bayou Recreation District.

Polls and Voting Information

Polls are open Saturday from 7 a.m. until 8 p.m. To find your voting information, click here.

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