Parish Administrator Erica Bryant outlined a $149 million operating and capital budget for Caddo Parish on Thursday, emphasizing the parish’s continued fiscal stability while warning that jail‑related costs remain a major pressure point.
Revenue outlook and reserves
The proposal projects $119 million in revenue – a 3 % increase over 2026 – driven by a 5.2 % rise in property taxes and a 9 % jump in sales taxes. Bryant attributed the growth to higher property values, new construction, and expanding data‑center development. Property and sales taxes together would account for roughly 69 % of the parish’s income in 2027.
Despite the higher tax intake, the budget also earmarks $250 million in reserves, a cushion built from years of “sound fiscal management, conservative budgeting, and strategic investments,” according to Bryant.
Spending increases and deficit areas
Expenditures are expected to rise 2 % as employee salaries and benefits climb. The biggest line‑item remains the Caddo Correctional Center, which alone consumes about 25 % of the parish’s projected spending. The facility is currently overcrowded, with inmate numbers edging past 1,700 – well above the previously cited “too many” thresholds of 1,400, 1,500, and 1,600.
The budget flags operating deficits of $4.5 million in juvenile justice, $5.5 million in the general fund, and $2.9 million in detention facilities, totaling $12.9 million. To offset these shortfalls, the plan includes $10.5 million in subsidies from a dedicated criminal‑justice fund.
Staffing and community services
In addition to addressing jail costs, the parish intends to add seven new positions. These roles will support Head Start programs, an adult drug court, legal‑services initiatives, and park operations, with several funded through grants. A separate hire is planned to manage the surge in road‑permit requests tied to data‑center growth.
Funding pressures and ballot measures
State and federal funding is projected to decline by 8 % as COVID‑19 relief dollars run out, and casino revenue is also expected to dip. However, Bryant stressed that the parish does not rely on casino proceeds for day‑to‑day operations.
The proposed budget does not allocate money for the $60 million sports complex slated for the November 3 ballot. If voters approve that measure, officials will revisit the budget and present any changes to commissioners on December 1.
Next steps
The Caddo Commission received the budget Thursday. A public hearing is set for November 19, with a final vote anticipated on December 1.
Original reporting: KTBS 3 (Shreveport) — read the source article.
