(The Center Square) – A $4 million appropriation is under consideration for the purchase of property off Benton Road in Bossier City.
An ordinance is included among new business for Wednesday’s City Council meeting.
The council will hear and vote on an ordinance that, if passed, would appropriate $4 million previously allocated from the 2018 Louisiana Community Development Authority Bond Fund. According to the ordinance, the legal counsel determined that the bond funds can’t be used.
Now, the Public Affairs department is instead seeking funding from the Parkway Capital Budget.
The building up for purchase is listed for $3.75 million and is a little over 34,000 square feet. The office building was previously occupied by General Dynamics Information Technology. The interior was renovated in 2018.
The $4 million allocated would purchase the property and allow for renovations if any are needed.
Other items include unfinished business, which the council will give final votes on. Only one ordinance under this section pertains to budgets, and it appropriates $350,000 from the Streets and Drainage Fund, providing a local match required by the agreement for Benton Road repairs, planning and construction.
New items, apart from the $4 million potential appropriation, include a potential $250,000 appropriation from the Water Capital and Contingency Fund, also for a local match per an agreement. However, this would go toward Swan Lake and Deen Point waterline extension, planning and construction.
An amendment to the City Council Travel and Training Budget is being proposed for additional training and meetings for staff and City Council members. This would entail $10,000 being moved from the General Fund to the travel and training budget.
