The Bossier City Council meets on Tuesday, Feb. 25.
An ordinance on the agenda for first reading authorizes the Mayor to renew the cooperative agreement with the Shreveport-Bossier Convention and Tourist Bureau to dedicate and use the proceeds from the hotel/motel occupancy tax exclusively for the operation and maintenance of the Bossier City's Civic Center, a multipurpose area, and for downtown development."
With one BIG change, this language tracks the language of the state statute controlling the hotel/motel, the amount of said tax, and disbursement of the funds.
The statute directs that the Tourist bureau "shall dedicate and use the proceeds from the three-quarters of one percent tax levied for the riverfront and downtown development and for the operation and maintenance of the civic center and multi-purpose arena in the city of Bossier City."
The obvious intent of the proposed ordinance is that these funds be sent to the City for disbursement. Obviously the lion's share of the hotel/motel tax is generated in Bossier City when considering the casino hotels. There have been many questions on how the Tourist bureau, which is funded totally by the hotel/motel tax, disburses all of its income.
More information will be published soon when the total collections and disbursements of the tourist bureau are examined.
Unfortunately, Stacy Brown, the executive director, is not prompt in responding to public records requests.
John came to Shreveport in January of 1977 when he was transferred to Barksdale AFB.
He’s been active in Shreveport politics since deciding to make Shreveport his home.
John practiced law for 40 years and he now monitors local politics. He regularly attends Shreveport City Council and Caddo Parish Commission meetings.
John is published weekly in The Inquisitor, bi-monthly in The Forum News, and frequently in the Shreveport Times.
He enjoys addressing civic groups on local government issues and elections.