(The Center Square) — The Bossier City Council will hear from the public this week about an ordinance appropriating additional taxpayer dollars for the new Jimmie Davis Bridge construction.
The agenda item is listed as unfinished business and allows the public to voice their concerns or support for the funding appropriation.
An additional $120,500 is needed to relocate water and sewer main utilities for the Jimmie Davis Bridge reconstruction. While the council voted to introduce new business, it did not happen without questions surrounding the $361 million state project.
Councilman Brian Hammons was curious how the state didn’t realize they would need funding for this aspect of the job.
“I feel like, it’s having to be moved for a state project, that the state should be paying for this and not the citizens of Bossier City,” said Hammons.
Despite the additional dollars needed, officials told the council that the money would be refunded if allocated from city funds. The paperwork process has begun, but the ordinance is to make sure there are no delays.
The Jimmie Davis Bridge has been under construction for a little more than a year after the project started last May. The estimated completion date is late 2028 for the $361 million reconstruction.
While it is unclear whether citizens will come forth either out of support or opposition, they will have the opportunity to do so during Tuesday’s city council meeting.
Additional business getting addressed during Tuesday’s council meeting includes authorizing a temporary employee for the Public Works Department, executing a pricing schedule with Bossier City and AT&T, a resolution authorizing the hiring of a utility worker for water distribution in the Public Utilities Department and hiring or promoting an accountant in the finance department.
