(The Center Square) – Introduction of an ordinance to take $400,000 from the Riverboat Gaming Capital Project Fund was presented to the Bossier City Council on Tuesday.
These funds will be for the Riverview Sewer Lift Station generator project. According to City Engineer Ben Rauschenbach, the water and sewer project is specifically targeted for Live Casino in Bossier City. The casino is concerned about sanitary sewer overflows in the area.
One council member said the usual practice is for funds to be used for water and sewer projects to come out of the water and sewer fund. While the council didn’t disagree with the money being asked for, some believe it should come from a different city fund to ensure proper allocation.
The Riverboat Gaming Capital Project fund is reserved for capital projects, including streets, repairs, and building new infrastructures for businesses coming into the city.
After further discussion, the council decided to amend the ordinance to adjust origination of the project funds. The $400,000 will now come from the Sewer Contingency fund instead of the Riverboat Gaming fund.
The City Council is also in discussion with the Bossier Parish School Board about a recent audit finding the council owes $1.5 million to the school board. The council denies this and is in the process of getting an independent audit. An ordinance was introduced and amended during the session to renegotiate the joint agreement on the sales tax between Bossier City and the Bossier Parish School Board. The amendments excluded a few paragraphs from the original ordinance.
Other business includes the council looking to renovate the City Hall council chambers. Renovations have not been done in roughly 40 years.
“There’s a need to update the chambers with modern amenities and finishes,” one council member said. “The proposal will include seating replacement, updating finishes, expansion of the two additional seats, replacement of the acoustics, and IT projectors so we can be more open and transparent on everything that we’re voting on.”
The renovation motion passed 6-1, with Chris Smith against.
Bids for an upcoming concrete repair project for Public Works were presented. The project is estimated to cost around $900,000 with funding being allocated from the 2025 budget. A & H Building and Construction bid $889,850, Dale’s Paving Inc. bid $832,845, James R. Martin Building and Remodeling bid $885,050, and RVP Construction bid $875,777.
