(The Center Square) — Bossier City residents were in the spirit of Election Day Tuesday when community members challenged two big ordinances at a packed council meeting.
The council’s proposed ordinance offering a new charter on the March ballot has a long backstory, but the council has already tried this before in the form of a resolution.
Back in mid-October, the Louisiana Bond Commission deferred the council’s resolution offering the same new charter on the December ballot, citing that it distracts from the charter the people actually want and signed a petition for. The Center Square reported on the commission meeting.
“If this goes forward as it is and it passes I think it could block any further action because the people of Bossier City will feel like they made their decision through their vote and that would mean that there would only be prospective term limits,” John Fleming, state treasurer and commission chair, said after their decision.
Despite the ruling and public comments against the ordinance for many meetings in a row, the city council voted to pass it back to the bond commission. The motion carried with six for and one against.
“What is going to be different this time when we send this to the bond commission?” said Brian Hammons, the only opposing vote. “Dr. Fleming said do not bring this back to the bond commission until it has been resolved in the court.”
Hammons also pointed out that the court appeal is to be heard Nov. 19 and the decision has to come within one month, meaning it’d be no big deal to vote on this after the facts are all laid out.
The city’s legal team disputed the month claim and also argued that things will be different this time considering one of Fleming’s biggest issues was how rushed the city charter seemed. Now, residents will have ample time to look it over and consider it before March.
They also said if the charter passed to be on the March election, or if it were voted for before the courts decision, it wouldn’t impede the people’s petition version from coming up on a future election if the courts ruled in their favor. This means there would be nothing to lose to by putting this charter on the March ballot now and pitting the other against it later.
Others who helped write the city’s proposed charter argued there are important measures on the charter besides term limits that need to get to a ballot quickly.
The 2025 budget was also voted on in the Nov. 5th meeting, and some of the same voices who opposed the charter spoke against this.
“You can give these people (public servants) pay raises when you need to. If you try to save money in Bossier City instead of spending it all the time,” said David Crocket, community member. “Or at least you fix the roads…If you would start doing those kinds of things then Bossier City would appreciate what you’re doing.”
Weston Merriott, who filed the initial lawsuit against the charter, was sarcastic when he explained why he believes the city council is grossly misspending with a general fund steady deteriorating and the police working overtime to get paid a living wage.
“The $83 million that were spent on the Walter O. Bigby, you know, what a worthy cause. We’re all saving 2.5 minutes as we head north bound into Bossier, thanks to this monumental task,” Merriott said. “I’m curious how this body can justify some of these ‘incredible’ projects when we need to take care of the people who take care of the families in Bossier City.”
Both Bossier City residents also resented the fact that the council combined the budget ordinances so that it would only be afforded one discussion rather than public comment on each of the 25 budget ordinances.
The council voted to pass the 2025 budget with six in favor and one opposed, Hammons.
