Local officals reflect and lay out goals for the newly christened 2010

The new year is only four days old, but Bossier Parish officials are already making plans for 2010 and reflecting on the past 12 months.

Bossier City Mayor Lorenz "Lo" Walker said 2009 was a solid year despite a grueling and turbulent last couple of months caused by a $6.5 million deficit in the city's 2010 general fund budget.

"Our (change in the) policy decisions normally depending on the transfer of funds made the general fund budget an issue and then when you start having to lay off people, that brings in an emotional element to it," said Walker.

The council agreed at the start of December on an amended budget that eliminated positions of city employees and created a wage and hiring freeze, which made for an auspicious end to an otherwise promising year.

"Time will tell about the wisdom of (the budget decision), but I think it was a needed adjustment. Overall it was a good year and we learned some things we can improve upon," said Walker.

His resolutions for 2010 include improving the city's general fund budget process and communication of that status by having a more open process that will keep stakeholders informed.

He also wants to continue the maximum quantity and quality of city productivity with available resources.

"Of course we're going to have make some adjustments in places, but I expect we'll still provide excellent quality and quantity of productivity," said Walker.

Other goals include continuing his emphasis on development of the cyber research park, continuing the implementation of the city's transportation improvement plan, upgrading the city's sewer and water systems and working closely with the local agencies to keep moving Bossier City forward.

"We have such a great thing going in Bossier Parish because we work so well together and I want to continue that at every opportunity," said Walker.

Sheriff Larry Deen pledged to continue to serve and protect the residents of Bossier Parish in the new year.

“We live in a great parish with great people. I am honored to serve each and every one of the 120,000 premiere citizens from Bossier. Our changing world today provides many obstacles. Dangers exist that have had and will continue to have a profound effect on our lives. Above all, we must work together to take care of one another, remembering to focus on God, family and country in all that we do," said Deen.

For Bossier City Rep. Jane Smith, positives in the past year included the millions of dollars given in state and federal surplus.

The state was awarded $45 million from state surplus money for I-49 North and another $40 million from federal surplus funds.

“The state was awarded that money to do what they wanted with, so we got the best end of that deal,” said Smith.
She was also happy about the dollars brought in by the tax amnesty bill, approval of the film industry tax incentives and tax incentives for compressed natural gas vehicle conversion.

"(These are things) we will see the benefits from in years and years to come. We're excited the movie industry is excited about the tax incentives. Engineers are looking at building infrastructure to take CNG to stations and after that you will see automobile companies building vehicles that will convert," Smith said.

She admitted that 2010 and its $250 million budget shortfall would not be easy. Still Smith said, "You can rest assured this administration is not going ot balance the problems of government on the backs of citizens. As you look long-range it's going to be about jobs and the economy of this state."

"When you're in difficult times, then you're forced to do the right thing and balance the budget and prioritize the most important areas for a state." she added.

Smith said Louisiana's economy is one of the strongets in the country, which is due to the administration's efforts to save and recruit jobs.

"We cut taxes on business and we cut state income tax. We did the right thing last year, even though we were having to cut, we didn't penalize the citizens of the state," she said.

According to Smith, the refusal to raise taxes is going to be the ongoing philosophy of the state administration and legislators.

"Even though we had to cut billion out of budget we didn't turn around and raise taxes. We're not going to raise taxes and punish tax payers," said Smith.

Fortunate our investment in GSC came to fruition so that's going to continue to bring jobs into the area.

Smith said the legislature will manage and make cuts in the budget while ensuring it does not hurt the economy.

"When it all comes down to it, the most important bills are going to be the budget [House Bill 1] and capital outlay [House Bill 2]. If were fortunate to have some extra revenue, we'll look at spending that on one time projects, probably infrastructure," she said.

Smith's housemate, Haughton Rep. Henry Burns, is grateful Gov. Bobby Jindal and his administration's interest in northwest Louisiana.

"It appears there is a general interest in south Louisiana about the well being of north Louisiana, especially when it comes with a goal of finishing I-49. That's not going to be finished without interest in all parties of the state and I think it's a positive thing that everyone seems to care about all parts of the state," he said.

For the new year, Burns wants to see the the issue of health care and higher education budget cuts be balanced. He also noted that CNG will become a more valid alternative fuel, and the tax incentives will benefit the state and the area.

"I think in the near future, there's going to be a new frontier in energy and Louisiana has positioned itself to be a leader and take advantage of that," said Burns.

He also plans to co-sponsor a bill concerning the concealed weapons permitting process. This will address local residents who have gotten a Florida concealed weapons permits which is cheaper to obtain and lasts longer, but has looser restrictions.

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