Chandler administration's 2026 Bossier City budget: A tax increase, dismantling a trust fund, and 'over insured' by $3.5 million
Plus — Bossier Parish Sheriff’s Office arrests registered sex offender on multiple charges.
Wednesday, September 24, 2025
Bossier City forecast
🌩️ Today 🌡️ High: 82°F 💨 Wind: SW → W 5–10 mph 🌧️ Rain: 90% chance ⛈️ Cloudy with thunderstorms likely. Cooler temps and passing showers.
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Chandler administration proposes '26 Bossier City budget: A tax increase, dismantling a trust fund, and 'over insured' by $3.5 million
A Bossier City budget workshop unveiled some startling facts and proposals Tuesday. Mayor Tommy Chandler's administration, once again, floated a tax increase, proposed dismantling a voter-approved trust, and admitted the City had been paying $3.5 million too much for insurance.
Chief Administrative Officer Amanda Nottingham presented the proposed budget to the council, and at one point admitted that an internal insurance review revealed the City had been overpaying millions of dollars for insurance.
"[Finance Director Angela Williamson] Ms. Williamson and our risk manager with our insurance agent — they did an extensive review, and they were able to adjust some of our policies and coverages to match what the city needs, rather than, I would say we were over-insured," Nottingham said. "And that resulted in a savings of, in all, over $3.5 million, but I think it was over $2.5 million in just the premiums alone."
Another bold proposal: undoing a voter-approved trust fund.
"One of the significant requests that we would have is related to the Public Health and Safety Trust Fund that was created in 1999 from the sale of Bossier Medical Center," Nottingham said. "That went to a vote of the people, and it would require the same threshold to go to the public for a vote to undo. It's a permanent trust fund, and so we are only allowed to spend the interest earned on the $18 million that was from the proceeds of the sale. And we would like to undo the permanent trust, which would then give the Council the authority to control that fund."
And yet again, the Chandler administration is looking to raise property taxes.
"This budget is based on, the revenue is based on, rolling property millages forward," Nottingham said. "However, as we experienced this year, that may not be necessary, but I do want you to know that the revenue recognized in the budget does reflect rolling millages forward."
Bossier City Council rejects zoning changes, approves building purchase for Council on Aging
At its regular meeting Tuesday, the Bossier City Council approved a $4 million ordinance to purchase and make necessary improvements to a building at 301 Benton Road, which will serve as the headquarters for the Bossier Council on Aging.
The building was originally a Capital One bank branch, and later renovated and occupied by General Dynamics Information Technology.
In other business, the council:
Adopted an ordinance allowing the City of Bossier City to partner with NBC Sports Engine for the streaming of sports at Tinsley Park, available to the public by subscription.
Rejected a change of zoning classification from residential low density to business commercial at 2290 Benton Road for a proposed chiropractic office.
Rejected changing the zoning classification from residential low density to B3 general business at 4208 Benton Road, for a proposed commercial strip center or automobile sales lot.
Introduced an ordinance appropriating $600,000 from the sales tax capital fund and authorizing the purchase of eight new police vehicles. A final vote will be taken at the council's next meeting.
Bossier Parish Sheriff’s Office arrests registered sex offender on multiple charges
The Bossier Parish Sheriff’s Office has arrested 38-year-old Rusty Allen Greenwalt of the 200 block of Dogwood Drive in Elm Grove.
BPSO says Greenwalt is a registered Tier 3 Sex Offender and has been arrested on multiple charges after a routine compliance check.
"During the annual registration process for sex offenders, investigators uncovered multiple unlawful files stored on Greenwalt’s cell phone," BPSO said in a release. "Based on this evidence, the Joint Criminal Apprehension Team (JCAT) Unit of the Bossier Sheriff’s Office took Greenwalt into custody without incident."
Greenwalt has been booked into the Bossier Maximum-Security Facility on the following charges:
Unlawful Deepfakes (19 counts)
Pornography Involving Juveniles (30 counts)
Bestiality (2 counts)
Greenwalt’s bond was set at $1,465,000.
“Our deputies will continue to pursue those who exploit and harm others, especially our children," Sheriff Julian Whittington said. "This arrest is another example of how diligent monitoring and enforcement can prevent further victimization.”
This remains an active investigation, and detectives believe additional victims may be identified. Anyone with information that may assist investigators in this incident is urged to contact Bossier Sheriff’s Detectives at (318) 965-3418 or the Bossier Sheriff’s Office Dispatch at (318) 965-2203.
Lane closure Friday: I-220 westbound
The Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development says that on Friday, September 26, 2025, I-220 westbound between the I-49 and N. Market Street interchanges in Shreveport will be reduced to one lane.
This lane closure is scheduled to take place from approximately 8:00 am to 5:00 pm for one day and is necessary to allow crews from SWEPCO to perform work related to relocating their electrical line(s) located near this area.
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