Taking a stand against Bossier tax hikes: Not one cent more
Plus — Fire hydrant and water quality inspections in North Bossier. Drive-thru flu shots.
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Taking a stand against Bossier tax hikes: Not one cent more
It's time to take a stand. This is not the time for tax hikes in Bossier Parish, and BossierNow will not remain silent. Two dozen members of two taxing authorities continue to bombard Bossier Parish residents with the threat of higher taxes.
Our mission statement says, "BossierNow does not endorse candidates or issues. Our mission is to remain independent, objective and politically neutral so that you can reach your own well-considered conclusions."
However, with full disclosure, we're making an exception. We cannot stand by with two more tax hikes looming without stating opposition.
A recent reassessment by the Bossier Tax Assessor's Office raised property taxes for all homeowners in Bossier Parish due to higher values. That we understand. Rising property values obviously can result in higher taxes.
However, local taxing authorities can either increase or decrease a millage due to that change in the tax-value base. A "rollback" 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 that 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.
So far, Benton Fire District 4 Chief J.T. Wallace, Jr. and Bossier Parish Sheriff Julian Whittington have approved tax roll forwards.
That should not have happened. But what is done is done.
Now, the Bossier Parish School Board and the Bossier Parish Police Jury are about to vote on two more roll forwards, hiking taxes on property owners by millions of dollars.
Our stand on taxes in Bossier: Not one cent more.
Both taxing bodies should roll back their millages and resist the urge to make a tax grab "without further voter approval."
The Bossier Parish Police Jury will have its tax roll forward meeting and Jury vote today, Wednesday, October 2, 2024, at 2:00 p.m. in the Police Jury Meeting Room at the Bossier Parish Courthouse.
The other tax hike will come from the Bossier Parish School Board at a hearing and school board vote on October 31, 2024, at 4 p.m. in the Bossier Instructional Center on Airline Drive.
Join us in our fight against higher taxes. Share this article. Spread the word. Attend the meetings — and let us hold accountable the politicians that raise our taxes "without voter approval."
The 12 Bossier Parish Police Jury members to vote on the tax hike are:
District 1: "Coach" Bob Brotherton (318) 423-7108 pj1bob@att.net
District 2: Glenn Benton (318) 949-0851 glennbenton@att.net
District 3: Philip Rodgers (318) 990-2145 rodgersforbenton@gmail.com
District 4: John Ed Jorden (318) 326-5508 (Home) (318) 426-2443 (Cell) jejorden59@aol.com
District 5: Julianna Parks (318) 469-5807 juliannaparksbppj5@gmail.com
District 6: Chris Marsiglia (318) 469-2123 cmarsigliabppj@gmail.com
District 7: Jimmy Cochran (318) 742-8174 (Home) (318) 746-0174 (Work) jimpaulc@aol.com
District 8: Doug Rimmer (318) 773-3359 drimmerx@gmail.com
District 9: Pam Glorioso (318) 465-5833 gloriosopam@gmail.com
District 10: Julian Darby tierralatreecedarby@gmail.com
District 11: Tom Salzer (318) 562-0340 salzert@bellsouth.net
District 12: Keith Sutton (318) 759-0004 keithsuttonbppj12@gmail.com
If you are unsure who your police juror is, consult this district map.
Fire hydrant and water quality inspections in North Bossier City and Benton
Benton Fire District #4 is conducting fire hydrant inspections throughout the district, stretching from just south of Wemple Road in Bossier City, including The Colony Subdivision, to just north of the Town of Benton. Inspections are scheduled to continue through October and possibly into November.
The inspections involve a five-minute flush of each hydrant and the underground piping that supplies it. This process can disturb sediment within the water distribution system, potentially leading to temporary water discoloration. While this is a normal occurrence, it may raise concerns for residents. If you notice discolored water in your home, we recommend flushing your water systems until the sediment clears.
Annual hydrant inspections and flow testing are essential to identify and address potential issues within the water system. These inspections are conducted in late summer and fall, while 20% of the hydrants are flow-tested throughout the year to ensure optimal performance and safety.
The inspections are scheduled to continue into November.
For any questions or concerns, contact Benton Fire District #4. Phone: (318) 965-9454 ext. 1. Email : info@bentonfire.org
Drive-thru flu shots offered by Willis Knighton Quick Care
It's time to roll down your window and roll up your sleeve. Willis Knighton Quick Care is offering its drive-thru flu shot campaign in October for adults and children ages three and older.
Shots will be administered from 7 a.m. to 10 a.m. and 3 to 6 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 2, at Willis Knighton Quick Care Bossier and from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, Oct. 5, at Willis Knighton Quick Care Pierremont at WK Portico Center on Youree Drive. High-dose vaccines will be available to individuals ages 65 and older. If insurance isn't available, the flu shot costs $35.
Haughton Homecoming parade route and traffic information
The Haughton High School Homecoming parade is scheduled for Thursday, October 3rd, at 6 pm.
The Haughton Police Department says all roads will remain open until 6 p.m. (except N. Hazel at W. Jefferson, which will close at 5 p.m.).
To get to the school after 5 p.m., you must approach the student parking lot from La Hwy 3227 and take N. Hazel to the school. At 5 p.m., no traffic will be allowed to get to the school by any other route. This is done to help HPD control the flow of traffic.
Parade route:
The parade will leave Haughton High School at 6 p.m., head towards Haughton Grocery, cross the railroad tracks on N. Myrtle, turn right on W. Jackson Ave., proceed to La Hwy 157, turn right, cross the railroad tracks, turn right onto W. McKinley and head back to HHS.
The parade usually lasts about an hour.
Plain Dealing Homecoming Parade and Carnival Thursday
Come line the streets Thursday night for the Annual Plain Dealing Homecoming Parade and Carnival. The parade will leave the school at 5:00 p.m., and the carnival will begin once it returns.
There will be three food trucks, two dinner trucks, and one snow cone truck. The food trucks will be in the car line parking lot on the East side of the school. Carnival tickets are 50 cents each.
Red River Revel continues: What you'll want to know
The longest-running and largest music and arts festival in North Louisiana continues today through this weekend. An extensive roster of artists will showcase jewelry, mixed-media, glass, wood, photography, ceramics, and more.
Four stages will host live music from musicians of all genres, headlined by Jefferson Starship.
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 Red River Revel details
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 with the proper credentials are allowed.
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