(The Center Square) — The Caddo Parish Commission introduced new ordinances in Thursday’s regular session that revisited fund allocation and property surpluses in the city.
The city’s new initiative — known as “Addressing Squatters Knowledgably” with “Bold Legal Unified Efforts” — is not the only way the city is trying to combat squatters and blight. The ongoing issue has sparked numerous ordinances amongst the commission to assist. Ordinance 6525, which ultimately was postponed from the final vote in Thursday’s session, looks to redirect tax revenue from sports betting to address blighted properties in Shreveport.
The ordinance was originally open for final passage, but the commission postponed it until more information is provided by the parish’s legal department. It aims to allocate 50% of the income generated from sports betting to the E. Edward Jones Housing Trust Fund.
The commission introduced Ordinance 6526, which would provide $30,000 to the Jewell House Shelter. According to Pittre Walker, in this week’s work session, the funds would allow the youth center to stay open for another 90 days.
Ordinance 6527 and 6528 concerned adjudicated properties in Shreveport. Ordinance 6527 declares certain adjudicated properties to be surplus and authorizes the parish administrator to sell the parish of Caddo tax interest in certain surplus adjudicated properties. Ordinance 6528 also addresses adjudicated properties, but the donation of the surplus property acquired by the parish under Louisiana revised statutes.
Both of these ordinances are specific to District 3.
New resolutions were considered, including three that pertained to national issues once again. As in previous meetings, Commissioner Grace Anne Blake, Commissioner John Atkins, and Commissioner Ed Lazarus opposed. The two other commissioners who historically have been in opposition to these resolutions are Commissioner Chris Kracman and Commissioner John-Paul Young. However, they were absent.
Ultimately, Commissioner Greg Young, Commissioner Victor Thomas, Commissioner Roy Burrell, Commissioner Steffon Jones, Commissioner Stormy Gage-Watts, Commissioner Ron Cothran, and Commissioner Ken Epperson voted to pass the three resolutions opposing issues happening in the federal government.
The resolutions have continued to spark heated debates with the commission during each meeting. The first introduction of these national issue resolutions on March 20 did not pass.
Old business discussed concerned the Interstate 49 tax increment financing district — also a heavily debated topic with the comission over the past several meetings. The truck stop in question in the TIF district recently experienced an U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement raid, sparking mixed feelings amongst residents in Hosston, Shreveport and among several commission members.
The final vote on the tax and a public hearing will be held on April 17.
