Bossier Parish School Board uses new math: Tax hike the same, total tax revenues lower
Plus — Red River Revel begins this weekend.
Beyond Bossier
Bossier Parish School Board uses new math: Tax hike the same, but total tax revenues are estimated as lower
The Bossier Parish School Board has posted a new public notice regarding its property tax increase. The increase in taxes still totals $4,253,341.49, but the estimated total tax revenues to be collected are nearly $5 million lower than the board's previous notice.
How Bossier Schools can raise taxes but collect less has not been explained.
The Bossier Parish School Board announced a roll forward in August with the same tax increase but delayed an initial meeting, saying it was looking to "provide tax relief." The school board had to publish a public notice announcing its intentions a month before a public hearing.
That hearing and school board vote will be held on October 31, 2024, at 4 p.m. in the Bossier Instructional Center on Airline Drive.
A recent reassessment by the Bossier Tax Assessor's Office raised property taxes for all homeowners in Bossier Parish due to higher values. Due to the change in the tax-value base, local taxing authorities can either increase or decrease a millage.
A "roll back" of a millage lowers the tax rate to compensate for the increased valuation — meaning property owners pay the same amount of taxes. The City of Bossier City is the lone local taxing authority to announce it will roll back its millage to avoid a tax increase.
A "roll forward" of a millage allows the taxing authority to gain additional revenue from the reassessment — in effect, a tax hike. Tax roll forwards have been approved by Benton Fire District 4 Chief J.T. Wallace, Jr. and Bossier Parish Sheriff Julian Whittington.
The Bossier Parish Police Jury has also announced it will roll forward its millage. BPPJ will hold a hearing and Jury vote next week, Wednesday, October 2, 2024, at 2:00 p.m. in the Police Jury Meeting Room at the Bossier Parish Courthouse.
Red River Revel begins this weekend
The longest-running and largest music and arts festival in North Louisiana begins this weekend. The Red River Revel begins its nine-day run Saturday, with cooler temperatures in the forecast.
An extensive roster of artists will showcase jewelry, mixed-media, glass, wood, photography, ceramics, and so much more. Four stages will host live music from musicians of all genres, headlined by Jefferson Starship.
And festival food has never been better: Barbecue, gumbo, tacos, shrimp and grits, crawfish, boudin, sandwiches, funnel cakes, and more from nearly two dozen food booths.
Festival Plaza in Shreveport will also host thousands of 4th graders throughout the Revel's run. A massive Kids Center will feature a mock dig, a miniature Brookshires grocery, fun rides and fascinating exhibits. Of course, there will be face painting and street performers, too.
All the Revel details you need to know
Admission tickets are available at the entrance. Admission is free before 5:00 pm on weekdays and $5.00 after 5:00 pm or on weekends. A $15.00 Reveler Pass allows guests access to the festival any day/time.
Wristbands are loaded with funds from a credit card or cash, and you pay for food and everything else by tapping them.
The Revel opens daily at 11:00 AM and closes at 9:00 PM on Sunday, Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, and at 10:00 PM on Thursday, Friday and Saturday. The Children’s Area closes at 8:00 PM daily. Art Alley closes 30 minutes before the festival closes.
Street parking is free after 5 pm, Monday-Friday and on weekends. Free parking lots are located at the Railyard Lot (70 Lake St) and UHaul (315 Lake St). Limited handicapped parking is available behind Riverview Hall (83 Crockett St, enter from Commerce St) and is available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Pets of any kind are NOT ALLOWED at the festival. This includes birds, small dogs, cats, snakes or any other type of animal. Registered service dogs are allowed with the proper credentials.
Young Marines celebrate graduation from BPSO program
Nine boys and girls completed two weeks of indoctrination training and earned the right to be called Bossier Sheriff’s Young Marines following a graduation ceremony at the Viking Drive Substation in Bossier City.
Bossier Parish Sheriff Julian Whittington oversees the youth program that teaches leadership skills, physical training, teamwork, discipline and confidence-building skills. The program also instills the Marine Corps values of honor, courage, and commitment, and promotes a healthy drug-free lifestyle.
“I am thrilled to see these young folks make a commitment to the Young Marines program,” said Sheriff Whittington. “The skills and discipline they learn here will help them develop into the future leaders of tomorrow — they are problems-solvers and team builders, and these are traits will carry them well in life.”
Frank Williams, Jr., was the honor graduate for Class 38, while Quinn Eason received the Physical Fitness Award.
Retired Marine and Pastor Lee Jeter of the Marine Corps League Detachment #875 presented the Floyd L. Baxter Leadership Award to Lexa Kunath.
Pastor Jeter also delivered the commencement speech to the graduating class.
Bossier Sheriff’s Young Marines Class 38 graduates were: Eric Eason, Quinn Eason, Riley Harris, Nicholas Houston, Hakeem Johnson, Lexa Kunath, Waylon Richmond, Jamie Smith, Frank Williams, Jr.
The Color Guard presentation was performed by former BPSO Young Marines: London Brown, Alaina Rivera, Benjamin Forker, and Luis Gonzalez.
The Young Marines program is a national program founded in 1958 and is the official youth program of the United States Marine Corps. Since its inception in 2002, more than 1,200 young men and women have graduated from the Bossier Parish Sheriff’s Young Marines program.
Deputy Lex Webb commands the Bossier Parish Sheriff’s Young Marines, and Deputy Marie Modica assists.
To learn more about the Bossier Sheriff’s Young Marines program, call 965-3500 or visit the Viking Drive Substation at 2510 Viking Drive in Bossier City.
Bossier City free time calendar
Live music in Bossier City and other notable events in the area for your free time consideration. If you would like to add an event to the Bossier City free time calendar, send the details to email@bossiernow.com.
September 28- October 6: Red River Revel in Shreveport's Festival Plaza
October 10: Travis Tritt at the Margaritaville Resort and Casino
October 11: The Brother’s Keepers Motorcycle Club and Phoenix Organization of Jefferson will host the Annual 2024 “Burn Run” from October 11th through October 13th. The event supports child burn survivors by helping fund “Camp I’m Still Me.” Purchase tickets at the event from 11 am to 7 am across the street from Auntie Skinners in Jefferson. The event includes live music, a poker run, a bike show, a 50/50 drawing — and plenty of entertainment.
October 18: Grammy-nominated singer/songwriter Darrell Scott at the Louisiana Grandstand.
October 19: 85 South at the BGA.
October 20: Jelly Roll, The Beautifully Broken Tour, with Warren Zeiders and Alexandra Kay at the BGA.
October 26: Daughtry at the Paradise Theatre in the Margaritaville Casino.
November 1-3: Disney On Ice presents Frozen & Encanto at the BGA.
November 9: A Candlelit Evening with The Wilder Blue at the Louisiana Grandstand.
November 14: Gabby Barrett live in the Paradise Theater at the Margaritaville Casino.
November 16: Creed, Are You Ready? Tour at the BGA with 3 Doors Down and Mammoth WVH.
November 22: John Michael Montgomery at the Riverdome in the Horseshoe Casino and Hotel.
November 23: William Clark Green brings his "Whole Lotta Lubbock" tour to his debut appearance at the Louisiana Grandstand. Green is tearing up Texas dance halls and filling venues nationwide with his hits like "She Likes The Beatles" and "West Texas in My Eye."
November 29: Neal McCoy in the Paradise Theater at the Margaritaville Casino.
December 5: The Trans-Siberian Orchestra performs The Lost Christmas Eve at the BGA.
December 6: Neo-traditional country artist Braxton Keith at the Louisiana Grandstand.
December 13: Creed Fisher at the Louisiana Grandstand.
December 14: A Candlelit Evening with Marc and Ted Broussard.
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