Tomorrow (Tuesday) the Bossier City Council will consider an ordinance to terminate the City’s agreement with the Bossier Arts Council (BAC) and evict BAC from the city owned building in the East Bank.
BAC has failed to provide required financial reports to the Louisiana Legislative Auditor (LLA) for the past three years (2022-2025). LLA has notified BAC of its noncompliance and has made efforts to get the needed reports to no avail.
The failure of the prior executive director, who resigned, to perform these duties is not a valid excuse for this failure. The Board of Directors had a fiduciary obligation to monitor the performance of its executive director and to ensure compliance with all regulatory requirements
Bossier City funds BAC in the amount of $130 thousand a year. Additionally, Bossier City allows BAC to use the old Bossier city court building rent-free. The City also pays for the utilities for the building.
This proposal is drastic, but it has merit. The council has no regulatory authority over BAC.
The new council, sworn into office on July 1 of last year, has adopted a progressive government approach to the city’s business and especially on financial matters. To continue to fund a support BAC with tax dollars and public resources is not consistent with good government practices.
Tomorrow’s meeting will certainly present a leadership challenge for the council, the Chandler administration and BAC.
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.