Bossier Parish Police Jury members decided Wednesday that the best solution to regulating an issue in the parish might best be achieved by issuing no new regulations.
During a Policy and Procedure Committee meeting prior to its regular session, police jury members agreed that an ordinance governing fireworks in the parish is currently unnecessary. In fact, one juror indicated such an ordinance might create more problems than it solves.
When first considering an ordinance, parish officials had suggested using Bossier City’s regulations as a model. That didn’t meet approval from some members.
“I’ve read the Bossier City ordinance and I believe we’d have a hard time enforcing it,” juror Julianna Parks said. Parks is an attorney. “It’s not clear on permits and some of the language is confusing.”
After discussion, which included comments from the owner of a fireworks sales outlet in the parish, Parish Attorney Patrick Jackson suggested moving ahead without drafting an ordinance.
“We wanted input from industry and anyone concerned about the issue,” Jackson said. “State law doesn’t say anything about time or days, or hours of operation for selling or shooting fireworks. We had three complaints last year, so I think it would be better to just move on.”
President Doug Rimmer said the jury will continue to listen to constituents and businesses and, if necessary, will reconsider the subject later.
Jury members also heard a report from Stacy Brown on activities and plans at the Shreveport-Bossier Convention and Tourist Bureau. A major part of the success story of tourism, she said, is the $819 million in visitor-generated income in Shreveport-Bossier City and the two parishes.
“Outdoor recreation and sports will remain strategic goals to get people out in the communities,” Brown said. “And part of our focus is to use the Red River as a connector and not a divider for us.”
Brown reported 13 events in the bi-parish area generated more than one million dollars each in economic impact, and noted the Bureau saw a $17 return for every one dollars spent in marketing Shreveport-Bossier City and the two parishes.
Also during Wednesday’s meeting, jury members:
• Awarded a pair of equipment bids to Louisiana CAT: $282,849 for a new motor grader and $524,059 for a new, large asphalt paver.
• Scheduled a series of public hearings on plat approvals, and one to consider adoption of the 2023 amended budget.
• Approved committee recommendations on 2024 holiday schedule; penalties and fines for Consolidated Waterworks/Sewerage Dist. No. 1 board of appeals; new salary structures for parish employees.
• Reappointed members of a pair of parish fire district board of commissioners.
• Approved applications for renewal of liquor licenses for 2024; granted approval of a request to allow selling beer at Boomer’s Lounge on a special Super Bowl Sunday event.
• Announced a public meeting for Wednesday, Jan. 10 to consider adopting a resolution calling a special election to authorize renewal of an ad valorem tax in Bossier Parish.