(The Center Square) – Shreveport Mayor Tom Arceneaux has public safety, city projects and blight at the top of his mind in the newly proposed 2026 operating and capital improvements budgets he presented to the City Council this week.
The budget, submitted Wednesday afternoon, outlines key priorities the mayor is focusing on for the upcoming year, along with a 3.7% increase in spending. The mayor also proposed a 2% blight surcharge on all water and sewer bills. These funds would be used to demolish blighted structures throughout Shreveport.
“Shreveport is moving in the right direction,” said Arceneaux. “We can do great things if we work together. I pledge to work with the City Council and with all our citizens to do just that and to be good stewards of our tax dollars.”
For 2025, the city anticipates spending $670 million. In the newly proposed 2026 budget, Arceneaux increased this 5.8% to $709 million.
Top priorities outlined in the budget include collaborating with the Police Department and residents to continue decreasing crime, further combatting blight with comprehensive strategies, moving city projects funded by bonds to completion and maintaining an 8% Operating Reserve in the general fund.
Apart from the spending increase, the capital improvements budget is over $1.1 billion, which includes $34 million for new city projects.
The proposed blight surcharge requires City Council approval, and if approved, would generate $3 million in 18 months to take down vacant structures. The City Council plans to review the proposed budget over the next few months with an adoption date on or before Dec. 15.
The next council meeting is Oct. 14.
