By Emilee Calametti | The Center Square
During a final reading of an ordinance that would adjust sanitation rates for apartment complex owners, the Bossier City Council, Mayor Tommy Chandler and citizens expressed varied opinions on whether it should pass.
Ultimately, the council voted to pass the ordinance with five in favor and none against. Two council members abstained from voting— Brian Hammons and Vince Maggio.
The city council held a workshop on Monday to discuss public works fees, in which many citizens took to the podium to share their opinions.
The discussion of sanitation rates has been ongoing in the council after several apartment complex owners voiced their concerns previously when the increased sanitation rate resulted in some of their bills going from $48 to $6,744 per month. Some complex owners would pay around $43,000 a year for their residential properties under the new rates.
Before the vote was taken, the council engaged in debate about the budget, "fairness," and different options while seated at the horseshoe. Chandler joined the discussion, expressing his opposition to the ordinance.
"I know that $12 per month has been hard on many citizens, and no one wants to pay more. The decision to raise the public works fee was difficult, and it was given a great deal of thought and consideration. But the fee increase was necessary and financially responsible. The city cannot continue to operate public works at a deficit," said Chandler. " I cannot support an ordinance that unfairly benefits a small group by reducing their cost while every other citizen continues to pay."
While Chandler opposed the ordinance, other council members weren't in agreement.
"We've been operating in a deficit for almost five years. […] I understand that we have to run public works, but I think it is highly unfair that you take a small majority of business owners in Bossier City to make up our deficit. […] I understand everybody has to pay their fair share. I think there's a better way of going about this," said Hammons. "I don't know any other business in town that if we were to throw an $80,000 increase per month on them, I don't know how they could sustain that."
According to Angela Williamson, Bossier City financial director, the amount needed in the budget is $11 million for this year. Currently, there is a projected loss of around $124,000 for 2025 for the department.
The ordinance passing will add a paragraph to adjust rates. For each residential apartment complex with a master meter, the charge will be calculated at $12 monthly multiplied by 80% of the total number of residential units, no matter the occupancy.