WEDNESDAY, JULY 8, 2020 | $1.00 | BOSSIER CITY, LA | SERVING GOD & OUR COMMUNITY | VOL. 92 NO. 2
Bossier Press-Tribune bossierpress.com
BOSSIER PARISH POLICE JURY
Bossier Parish to consider renewing jail tax
STACEY TINSLEY Bossier Press-Tribune At last week’s Bossier Parish Police Jury meeting, the jury approved the holding of a public meeting in August to authorize the renewal of an ad valorem tax for parish correctional facilities. “Bossier Parish as required by law ‘shall provide a good and
sufficient jail’ for parish pretrial inmates. This is one of our primary functions as parish government. On Saturday, December 5, 2020, the Parish is asking parish voters to renew ALTIMUS the existing 3.08 mill property tax for another 10
years. This renewal provides the funding to maintain and operate our correctional facilities located south of Plain Dealing,” said Bossier Parish Administrator Bill Altimus. “Just like anyone’s home or business, we are required to insure, maintain, pay all the utilities to those facilities along with additionally providing the food, medical, dental and prescriptions to the inmates as long as
they are in our facilities. Having these facilities is not an option for the parish. We must do all the above and it takes money to do this. As such we are asking the parish voters to approve this renewal,” he added. During Wednesday’s police jury meeting, the jury also: ■ Approved the application of Andrew Craig, Mohr & Associates, Inc., to the Bossier City-Parish Metropolitan Plan-
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ning Commission. ■ Approved a zoning amendment to change the zoning classification of a certain tract of land being 1.00 acre, more or less, located directly east of Johnny’s Pizza and across Highway 80 from Brookshires Grocery, in Section 16, Township 18 North, Range 12 West, Bossier Parish, See, BPPJ, Page 3
LOUISIANA LEGISLATURE
Deals made, money saved Local lawmakers assess recently completed special session in case more money is needed in the upcoming fiscal year, create liability protections so our econoLouisiana lawmakers my and schools can open ended their 30-day spe- again, and create a fund cial legislative session for businesses to apply for June 30 after sending Gov. grants to obtain CARES John Bel Edwards a $34 Act funding.” billion-plus state Lawmakers budget and legislawere also able tion aimed at lowto avoid serious ering car insurance budget battles rates. due to the influx The spending of federal dollars. plan approved “We still manunanimously by aged to cut our the House and State General Senate uses federal PRESSLY Fund by roughly coronavirus aid to $600 million. That stop cuts. is something that Members of the no one is talking legislature’s Reabout,” said Dodie publican majority Horton, State argued that the Representative, budget and busiDistrict 9. ness tax breaks “The State Genpassed will help eral Fund is the HORTON the state with the pot of money that ongoing pandemthe legislature has ic. the most control “ W h i l e over. This proves COVID-19 crethat we can cut our ated a challenge spending without for individuals, throwing seniors businesses, and out of nursing governments on homes or causing every level, the MILLS major disruptions legislature worked in the lives of our tirelessly to help citizens.” move Louisiana forward,” Horton also noted said Thomas Pressly, Lou- projects in the Capital isiana State Representa- Outlay Bill. tive, District 6. “During “For the 1st time in session, the legislature history, no projects in our passed bills to, among Capital Outlay Bill were other things, balance the See, SESSION, Page 2 budget, create a reserve
STACEY TINSLEY Bossier Press-Tribune
Stacey Tinsley/ Bossier Press-Tribune Cypress Baptist Church’s Freedom Celebration was one of many Independence Day events that took place in Bossier Parish. Freedom Celebration featured music (above), food trucks, and of course, fireworks (Right)
Hudson reflects on career as City Engineer STACEY TINSLEY Bossier Press-Tribune Longtime Bossier City Engineer Mark Hudson retired from the position July 2. He turned over the job to Manchac Group’s Ben Rauschenbach. Manchac began managing Bossier City’s water and sewer department in 2016. © 2020 Bossier Newspaper Publishing Co., Inc.
In March of 1989 Hudson walked i n t o Bossier City hall to receive help regarding s u r v e y HUDSON data from t h e n Bossier City engineer
Sammie Craft. Before leaving Craft asked Hudson if he knew any young engineers that would like to come work for the city to send them his way. “After he asked me if I knew anyone who would be interested in working for the city, I looked at him and said ‘Here I am’, Hudson said. “That’s how it all started. That’s how
my career with the city began 31 years ago.” When Hudson started working for Bossier City 31 years ago, he thought it was going to be a temporary position. “ I appreciate Mr. Craft hiring me. It’s just turned into a wonderful career. I’m very fortunate See, HUDSON, Page 3