The Bossier City Council meets tomorrow, Tuesday.
The agenda has two items of interest for first reading that cannot be adopted, at the earliest, until the council’s next meeting on March 17. Both are critical for the continued existence of the Bossier Arts Council (BAC).
The first is an ordinance to terminate the city’s agreement with BAC which includes funding, free use of a city building, and payment of utilities and maintenance for that building by the city. This ordinance failed on first reading at the council’s last meeting. It is expected to be approved for a first reading on Tues.
The second ordinance prohibits payments to any outside agency or entity while listed on the non-compliance list of the Louisiana Legislative Auditor. BAC is on this list for the failure to file necessary reports for the last three calendar years. This measure is also expected to be approved on first reading.
Both measures reflect good government principles and sound fiscal management. The problems of BAC are NOT attributable to Bossier City government. While these circumstances are unfortunate, BAC not Bossier City is responsible for the non-action that merits strong legislative action.
BAC supporters turned out in droves at the last council meeting, pleading for mercy. Hopefully there will not be a repeat of this wasted energy and time because their pleas should be directed to the BAC president and board of directors ,not the Bossier council.
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.