Bossier City officials released a draft of the 2027 general‑fund budget, the core operating plan that funds essential services such as police, fire, streets and courts. To address an anticipated revenue gap, the city proposes pulling $1.9 million from its reserve fund.
Budget basics
The city’s total budget totals $321.6 million, encompassing enterprise, internal‑service, special‑purpose and other funds that run separately, including water and sewer operations. Of that, $85.8 million is earmarked for day‑to‑day operations, while projected revenues from sales and property taxes, fees and other sources amount to $83.9 million.
Reserve draw and fund balances
Reserves, also called the fund balance, are projected to shrink from $65.5 million to $63.6 million after the $1.9 million withdrawal. The move is intended to keep the city’s core services fully funded despite the modest shortfall.
Arena finances
Brookshire Grocery Arena is expected to post an operating deficit of $350,000 for the upcoming fiscal year. The city plans to transfer $145,225 into the Arena Fund, leaving a remaining shortfall of $6,234. The arena’s performance has improved dramatically since 2025, generating roughly $2.5 million more revenue and an 84 % increase in concession sales.
Revenue outlook
Revenue for 2027 is expected to be essentially flat to slightly lower, with an estimated $6.6 million coming from sources other than taxes and fees.
Insurance premium increase
Insurance premiums in the Risk Management Fund are projected to rise 31 %—an increase of nearly $1.5 million—largely due to a new workers‑compensation policy that replaces a prior self‑insurance structure. The fund balance will cover the increase, dropping from $3.7 million to just under $100,000.
Public‑safety spending
About half of the increase in departmental spending is tied to public‑safety operations. Police and fire budgets together are projected to grow by roughly $3.3 million, even though neither department is adding personnel. Police staffing remains authorized at 224 positions and fire at 216.
Salary and benefit considerations
Beyond a 2 % cost‑of‑living adjustment for civil‑service employees, the budget does not reflect major salary hikes. Increases are attributed to higher costs for benefits, technology upgrades and other operating expenses, which finance director Angela Williamson described as “a combination of smaller increases making up that larger increase.”
Next steps
The budget will be reviewed during a workshop following the City Council meeting on Tuesday, giving elected officials and the public an opportunity to discuss the proposed reserve use and other line‑item adjustments.
Original reporting: KTBS 3 (Shreveport) — read the source article.
