Bossier City · issues
Civic issues
Topics getting the most attention in Bossier City public meetings, ranked by how frequently they come up.
Alcohol sales at Flying Heart Brewing and Pub
Flying Heart Brewing sought permission to serve high- and low-content alcohol at its Airline Drive restaurant/bar. It's a routine permit matter for an existing pub, but it shapes what businesses can operate in that corridor.
O'Neal Subdivision amended plat
An amended plat for the 14.545-acre River Square Subdivision off Benton Road creates a small corner lot for a shared marquee sign that can advertise all the subdivision's lots.
Rezoning of 2909 Old Minden Road to General Business
The family of the late Ronald Mock is seeking to rezone about two acres on Old Minden Road from residential low density to general business, possibly to expand their adjoining strip mall. A public hearing is expected next month.
Off-premise alcohol sales at Shed Mini Mart
The c-store also got approval to sell beer and liquor, over objections that a Southern Methodist church sits within 300 feet and a daycare sits across the street.
Fence height variance for Tractor Supply garden center
Tractor Supply wants to surround its outdoor garden sales area with a 16-foot fence or wall — more than double the city's 7-foot cap. The Board of Adjustment hears this variance request at a public hearing, and the decision affects the look and screening of a busy Barksdale Boulevard commercial corridor.
2027 City Budget Adoption
The council finalized all 2027 operating and capital fund budgets, closing a roughly $2 million general fund deficit through cuts and rearranging. A resident warned the city should keep reserves high ahead of about $76 million in debt payments due by 2030.
438 Hamilton Road dilapidated mobile home
A family used a manufactured home as a caregiver residence until the patient died in 2024, then sought to keep it while saving to build a site-built home. Neighbors argued subdivision covenants never allowed mobile homes and that allowing it invites future requests. The board denied the exception and set a 120-day removal deadline.
Road and drainage project progress
The lone bid for the intersection project came in at $1.52 million versus a $948,638 estimate — about $567,000 over. The council wants to know the city's share after grants and police jury contributions before deciding.
Blight cleanup progress at Hall, Joannes and Jacquelyn Streets
The council worked through nine condemned or deteriorating houses, ordering four down and giving extensions to owners showing progress. These cases affect neighborhood safety and property values.
Community event fee waivers
The parade permit fee was waived for the East Bank Beer & Bubbles event happening Saturday, April 18.
Emergency sewer repairs on Voss Drive and Central Park lift station
The city had to fix a collapsed sewer main and a failed manhole on an emergency basis, spending nearly $389,000 combined from the sewer contingency fund.
Axon Fusus private camera program
A proposed ordinance would let the mayor sign agreements with businesses willing to connect their security cameras to police Fusus software, letting detectives view footage remotely instead of collecting thumb drives. It's voluntary, free to the city, and access is logged.
S.A.N.E. Nurse Program continuation
The council finalized the cooperative endeavor agreement with the parish coroner and sheriff keeping the S.A.N.E. Nurse Program operating in Bossier Parish.
2027 city budget and Community Development restructuring
The council got its first look at next year's budget, which closes a $1.8 million deficit through roughly $3 million in cuts — including folding the Community Development department into another department. Councilwoman Ross fought the change, worried residents will lose a familiar point of contact for grant help like wheelchair ramps, but the $500,000 in federal grant money and its programs will continue.
Sales tax revenue slipping
February sales tax revenue looked down 6.3%, but it's a software issue with the parish's new combined e-filing system — money is being collected, just delayed. Expect a rebound next month.
Rezone at 5301 East Texas Street
A fenced, lease-only truck storage yard near I-20 got its gravel-surface approval, with a concrete apron extended toward the highway; the board flagged concerns about hazardous materials near Barksdale's flight path.
Multi-tenant sign at Safe Harbor Drive and Benton Road
A four-lot commercial subdivision, including a self-storage facility under construction, will get one shared monument sign for visibility from Benton Road; individual lot signs are off the table.
Rural King store at former Sears, Pierre Bossier Mall
Rural King's first Louisiana store is headed to the old Sears building at Pierre Bossier Mall, with outdoor equipment and building-material displays in the parking lot. The conditional use approval was the last step before closing on the property; the store could open in late 2027.
State debt collection for city delinquencies
The city will refer final delinquent debts to the Louisiana Department of Revenue's Office of Debt Recovery for collection at no upfront cost. Expect better recovery of unpaid fees and fines.
Plant a Seed In Our Youth Foundation partnership
A nonprofit will use city park facilities at Mitchell Park to run free or reduced-cost youth programs — at no cost to the city.
Barksdale Air Force Base community support
Barksdale Forward reported the region earned the Great American Defense Community designation — a lifetime honor — and noted the base's $1.4 billion annual economic impact.
Meadowview Park Splash Pad
The city nearly closed the long-running pool but instead struck a one-year deal with Rock Solid Athletic Club, which runs Shreveport's pools, to operate it this summer with a citywide swim-lesson program. It's a pilot to see if the pool can stay open without draining city resources.
Surplus and obsolete equipment disposal
Two first readings would let the city sell off or dispose of old movable equipment and outdated gear at Brookshire Grocery Arena.
NCMC South Bossier Clinic rooftop HVAC screening waiver
A new publicly funded clinic at 5668 Barksdale Boulevard wants its rooftop HVAC units unscreened, arguing a parapet wall hides them from the public. The board let the request die without a motion, likely requiring roughly $80,000–$85,000 in screening.
Comprehensive plan and unified development code rewrite
The Planning Commission asked the council to pull the item hiring Halff Associates to update the city's comprehensive plan and unified development code, so that work is on hold.
Federal law enforcement grant application
The council endorsed the police department's application for a federal Justice Assistance Grant.
Golden Meadows Drive storm drain replacement
Crews are replacing a failing box culvert and storm drain near Bayou Drive; the road should be passable by end of day with repaving to follow.
Utility worker pay incentives
Water and wastewater operators will now earn real certification pay ($0.50–$2.25/hour) plus monthly CDL bonuses, aimed at keeping qualified staff running the city's water systems.
Unlicensed home auto repair business
The board wrestled with whether a 2,400-square-foot accessory building used for youth athletic training counts as a 'home-based business' under the unified development code. The denial signals the board reads that term strictly — businesses inside the home, not separate large structures.
Gas station/c-store at Forest Hills Boulevard and Highway 80
Forest Village LLC wants to lift a self-imposed ban on fuel sales at an already B-3-zoned corner, adding an Exxon c-store. Residents of the 540-home Forest Hills subdivision packed the hearing over traffic, flooding, crime, and notification concerns, though the developer says a new signal — at its expense — will cut the intersection's five-minute peak delays to under a minute.
Safe Harbor storage fencing and neighbor complaints
Staff said complaints keep coming about construction and lighting at the self-storage site, so the commission required the full perimeter fence before any building gets a certificate of occupancy.
Forge Athletics drainage concerns
The indoor athletics complex site sits about four feet above North Point Community Church's south parking lot, and the church fears worse flooding in heavy rains; drainage plans will go to the city engineer.
Alcohol sales at 2125 Old Minden Road convenience store
A Raceway got conditional approval to sell low-content alcohol for off-premise consumption, with conditions requiring a new sidewalk to a crosswalk, a midnight close, and consolidation of the oddly-zoned parcel before any sales begin.
Redeeming the 2014 and 2015 LCDA bonds
The council approved using $9.95 million from the Parkway Capital Projects Fund to pay off the 2014 and 2015 LCDA bonds early, plus the redemption resolution to do it.
I-20 ramp beautification
$150,000 from the General Fund will go toward beautifying and rehabilitating the I-20 ramps and other areas of need — the first impression travelers get of Bossier City.
Heather Lane sewer main failure
A 24-inch sewer force main blew out along Viking Drive and cost $17,387.70 to fix. The council declared an emergency to pay for it from sewer capital contingency funds.
The Row I and Row II Economic Development Districts
The council created two districts covering the East Bank District, Boardwalk and casino corridor as the framework for a possible 2% sales tax to fund security, infrastructure and destination-building. No tax is imposed yet — that would come as a later vote. Critics questioned why registered voters were excluded from district maps and why casinos hold three board seats versus one for East Bank small businesses.
Rezone and development at Barksdale and Robert E. Lee
Nine vacant acres at a busy South Bossier intersection were rezoned for a physical therapy clinic and child care center serving up to 350 children. A traffic study is required before permits, and the driveway at Barksdale Boulevard won't be allowed.
Reopening of Baja Flip's restaurant/bar on Old Minden Road
A long-vacant restaurant spot at 2050 Old Minden Road is getting new life as Baja Flip's, with a full alcohol permit. Owner targets a November opening.
Modular home special exception at 4505 Pine Crest Drive
A homeowner wants to place a modular home on 2.2 acres outside any subdivision, but neighbors in Tall Timbers and Pine Crest subdivisions say it doesn't meet community standards and could depress property values. Neighbors also worry construction will worsen drainage runoff that already hits their yards.
Drainage runoff from cleared Pine Crest tract
Neighbors report that clearing and leveling the tract has increased runoff flowing into Tall Timbers yards, recalling the 2016 flooding in the area. They fear new construction will make the runoff worse.
2027 MPC budget and comprehensive plan/UDC study
The commission approved its 2027 budget, including about $955,000 already set aside for the comprehensive plan and Unified Development Code study. Consultants arrive in late September for community meetings.
Veterans Day Paid Holiday Proposal
A resident asked the council to add Veterans Day as a paid holiday for veteran city employees in the pending Chapter 78 personnel rewrite, and flagged several citation errors in the draft that she wants corrected.
Fuel Station Conversion Change Order
Only one bid came in for converting city fuel stations — $1.58 million against a $1.15 million estimate — so the council took it under advisement.
$15 Million Bond Refinancing
The council approved refunding the Series 2026 sales tax bonds and is moving to pay off the 2014 and 2015 LCDA bonds early with $9.95 million. Together these refinancing moves are projected to save taxpayers about $3.5 million in interest over ten years.
Pedestrian safety near Race Way and First Methodist park
The Race Way convenience store wanted to sell beer and wine but its front door sits within 300 feet of the park across Old Minden Road. Approval came with a requirement to build a sidewalk so the walking route crosses at the crosswalk and clears the 300-foot buffer.
How to do business in Bossier workshop
The MPC is hosting a free workshop on August 26 at the Bossier Central Library to walk new and existing business owners through permits, fire prevention, health department and Secretary of State requirements all in one room.
$25 million BUILD Grant for East-West Corridor
The long-speculated East-West Corridor road project just landed $25 million in federal funding. Right-of-way acquisition is starting, beginning on the Benton Road segment and running to Winfield Road.
Child care shortage in South Bossier
A new daycare and physical therapy facility is one step closer on 9.92 acres at Barksdale and Robert E. Lee. Commissioners noted the area's need for child care, especially for military families, but the site will generate about 150 drop-off and pick-up trips twice a day, so a traffic study is required before the city council decides.
Shreveport Transit Authority funding gap
Without an extra $305,532, bus service would have been cut before the fiscal year ends. The council amended the 2026 General Fund budget to keep current service levels.