David Montgomery runs Bossier City. Pay raises for everyone.
A mayor is good for ribbon cuttings.
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David Montgomery runs Bossier City. Pay raises for everyone.
David Montgomery runs Bossier City. A mayor is good for ribbon cuttings, but if you need something done, Montgomery decides.
Term limits? David Montgomery has derailed term limits with political acumen that has more than humbled the enthusiastic political novices. Montgomery says no. End of discussion. A monument in a roundabout? See Montgomery. Raises for City employees and first responders? Sure, Mr. Mayor, come up with your own little plan. Montgomery will make the final decision.
Bossier City employees and first responders will receive across-the-board $500 monthly raises in 2025. David Montgomery made that decision. And he decided how those raises would be funded.
Chandler opposes the Montgomery plan
Tuesday's City Council meeting began with Mayor Tommy Chandler slamming the David Montgomery budget amendment passed at the council's last meeting.
"Let me be clear. I fully support these raises," Chandler said. "What I can't support is an amendment to my budget that changes the funding source for these raises. A few months ago, in September, I proposed a budget that raises a stable, predictable source of funding that we know we'll have every year. This council voted to change the funding source and remove the guaranteed revenue stream, and choose to fund raises on projections of future tax collections alone.
"In my opinion, this is not responsible, and this is much more risky than my proposed budget. It could lead to problems in the future if the projections are wrong. Right now, the Louisiana legislature is in a special session considering major changes to the tax structure — changes that could reduce the amounts collected by Bossier City.
"At this time, there are too many unknowns. When I ran for mayor, I said I'd run the city like a business. Using one-time money rather than a stream of revenue that we know we'll have every year is not what a business would do. In business, raises would be based on a stable revenue stream, not paid from a savings account or put on a credit card."
Thank you, Mr. Mayor. I've got a motion and a second to approve today's agenda.
David Montgomery ‘vehemently disagreed’
"The mayor made some mighty strong statements, as I would say, as to fundamental account business principles, which I vehemently disagree with," Montgomery said, with the unanimous decision to follow his bidding already made. "This budget was not based on a credit card. It was not based on one-time money. The fundamentals of recurring revenue, which has been a hot topic — our recurring revenue, for the record, is property tax, which is roughly 20%, and sales taxes, roughly 80%. Again, I will repeat this. For the past three years, we have consistently outperformed our estimates.
“Why in the world would we not go ahead and count that revenue now? We have increased the fund balance by over, I don't know, 30 million, something like that, 25 to 30 million dollars. My goodness, how much money do we have to sit on before we give it back to the people, those people that are providing the services to the people of Bossier City? It was time. The amount was right. The money is there."
David Montgomery was pleading his case after it had already been won.
The council unanimously approved the Montgomery budget, as amended. He was just taking a victory lap. Even previous objectors, Chris Smith and Brian Hammons, fell in line.
The proposed budget amendment will raise all non-civil service employees to the “market minimum,” as recommended by a third-party salary study, with across-the-board raises of $500 per month. The amended budget also includes $1,758,438 to both fire and police departments to use for raises within each department. The budget also includes a property tax roll forward in 2025.
City employees are pleased. First-responders are placated. The mayor can go back to ribbon cuttings, and the city council can run for reelection. Montgomery gets his way because he has four aces in his pocket: Maggio, Darby, Free, and Williams.
Like Trump, government is Montgomery’s game. And he makes the rules.
BPCC, City of Bossier City, to host 32nd Annual Christmas Show at a new location
Bossier Parish Community College, in partnership with the City of Bossier City, is thrilled to announce that the 32nd Annual Christmas Show will debut in a brand-new venue this year — the Stephen W. Slaughter Theatre, located inside Building C on the BPCC Campus at 6220 E. Texas Street in Bossier City.
After 31 years at the Bossier Civic Center, this cherished holiday tradition will now take place on BPCC’s campus, offering a fresh and exciting experience for the community and performers alike.
This year’s festive production, Santa’s Wintertime Adventure, will be performed on three dates:
Friday, December 6, at 6:30 pm
Saturday, December 7, at 6:30 pm
Sunday, December 8, at 2:00 pm
Doors open 30 minutes before each performance. While admission is free, tickets are required and can be reserved online at www.bpcc.edu/theatre. Guests are encouraged to bring canned food donations to benefit the Food Bank of Northwest Louisiana.
For over three decades, this Christmas show has been BPCC’s heartfelt “gift to Bossier City,” spreading holiday cheer to families and children. This year’s production will transform the BPCC Theatre into a magical winter wonderland featuring favorite characters like Santa, Mrs. Claus, Frosty, and a host of jolly elves.
Audiences will be treated to a delightful mix of holiday classics and modern favorites, brought to life by BPCC’s talented Student Life Groups. Taking the stage will be the ever-popular "Elfis" Presley, whose rock 'n' roll holiday spirit promises to captivate audiences. Joining him are the playful duo Heat Miser and Snow Miser, who are sure to entertain with their lively antics. After each show, children can meet Santa and Mrs. Claus to share their holiday wishes.
Performances will feature the creative talents of the Cavalier Players, Cavalier Players Chorus, BPCC Concert Choir, Cavalier Cheerleaders, and the Ladies in Gold Danceline. Adding to the festivities, Dr. Ray Scott Crawford will present a heartwarming reading of the classic “Twas the Night Before Christmas.”
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Montgomery looks sick.