It’s like peanut butter and jelly, mom and apple pie, and ham and cheese, -- they just go together. Pay raises for city employees and new public safety equipment will make for great campaign boasts for elected officials seeking a second term in next year’s election and legacies for those not coming back to the city council.
After being told for months that the proposed 2026 budget was a “stand still” plan, suddenly the two Toms (Mayor Tom and CAO Tom) have unveiled a plan to provide all city employees a 3% pay raise starting next April. In addition, the budget proposal will fund the purchase of 60 police patrol cars, four new medic units, a fire department tanker truck and eight new garbage trucks.
The Arceneaux administration labels the plan as “creative”. Some observers believe the proposal is one held together by scotch tape, kite spring, and lots of Elmer’s glue.
It is doubtful that the council will give an in-depth review of the various funding components. After all, it’s a great Christmas gift for city employees and it promotes public safety including garbage pickup. For the mayor and the five council members seeking reelection next year, it will be the top boast on campaign push cards.
The 13% pay raise funded by the Perkins administration was deemed to be “not sustainable” by then CAO Henry Whitehorn. In a radio interview this morning, Mayor Arceneaux excused that conclusion with political spin.
The Perkins pay raise was for ALL city employees, including the mayor’s staff and department heads. Many questioned that the blanket raise was not based on job evaluations compared to the private sector and that it should not apply to the top salaried city employees. The big pay increase significantly added to the city’s contribution to the city’s employee retirement plan and so will the 3% proposal.
Starting next year, the city’s mayor and council members (whomever they may be) will be faced with this budget reality that cannot be undone other than city layoffs. The major financial troubles of New Orleans and East Baton Rouge should have sent a warning cry to city hall on municipal finances.
Unlike those two cities, Shreveport’s population drain is not expected to stop, and the financial impact of less residents will have an impact on tax revenues. The mayor’s budget proposal will most likely lead to ad valorem tax increases plus increased fees for municipal services during the next four years begining in 2026.
The city's budget must be adopted by Dec. 15. This deadline will provide time for an extensive review of the mayor’s new budget proposal. However, it’s very doubtful that any council member will play Scrooge and seriously question the merits of the proposal, much less vote against it.
No doubt this writer, plus any others who scrutinize how the package will be repaid, will promptly be labeled as the Christmas Grinch. The "chicken in every pot" sells well this year, although pots may be empty the next few Christmases.
John came to Shreveport in January of 1977 when he was transferred to Barksdale AFB.
He’s been active in Shreveport politics since deciding to make Shreveport his home.
John practiced law for 40 years and he now monitors local politics. He regularly attends Shreveport City Council and Caddo Parish Commission meetings.
John is published weekly in The Inquisitor, bi-monthly in The Forum News, and frequently in the Shreveport Times.
He enjoys addressing civic groups on local government issues and elections.