Bossier City’s “Parking Lot Gate” Sparks Heated Exchange

Questions Over Repaving Parking Lots for Private Businesses 

A tense investigation is underway in Bossier City after revelations that two private business parking lots on Benton Road were repaved at the city’s expense, reportedly costing taxpayers around $280,000. The repaving was completed without competitive bids and without Bossier City Council approval, raising concerns about possible violations of Louisiana’s public bid laws. 

Origins of the Dispute 

The controversy began after construction on the Walter O. Bigby Carriageway allegedly damaged parking lots for the two businesses, Scot's Audio & Trim Design, and Bossier Power Equipment.

Some say access to the lots was cut off; others claim the pavement itself was damaged. Additional business owners have now stepped forward claiming similar damage and are considering legal action. 

City Council members questioned why bids were never sought and who authorized the project. Under Louisiana law, public projects typically require a bidding process unless an emergency is declared. So far, no official emergency declaration has been produced. 

Emails, Servers, and a Clarification from the Assistant City Attorney 

The dispute escalated during a Friday investigative committee meeting chaired by Councilman Brian Hammons. Assistant City Attorney Richard Ray drew attention when he said he deletes emails after 30 days, sparking speculation about missing records. 

Get our free mobile app

Ray has since clarified in an email statement that he does not delete emails from the city’s server. Instead, his computer is set to store only 30 days’ worth locally due to space limitations, while all messages remain on the city’s email server for retrieval.
“I have never deleted a single email and… there has never been a violation of any records retention schedule,” Ray wrote, adding that he has already provided all documents he believes are relevant to the parking lot investigation. 

Louisiana Public Bid Law Requirements Breakdown 

Under Louisiana's Public Bid Law (which applies to local government entities like Bossier City), the minimum dollar amount for a project to be required to go out for bid depends on the nature of the project:  

• Public Works Projects (including construction): The contract limit is $250,000 per project. However, this amount is subject to annual adjustments by the office of facility planning and control based on the Consumer Price Index. 

• Purchases of Materials and Supplies: The limit is $60,000. 

• Purchases of $30,000 to $60,000 for materials and supplies require obtaining at least three quotes by telephone, facsimile, email, or other printable electronic form. 

These thresholds apply to local governmental entities unless they choose to follow the Louisiana Procurement Code or purchase goods off of state contracts. 

When a public works project is estimated to be less than the contract limit ($250,000), the public entity should still competitively negotiate with contractors and obtain quotes to ensure a fair and reasonable price. 

Bossier City Assistant City Attorney Richard Ray Full Statement 

  Erin: 

 Please consider this my response to your request for information regarding the issue of email retention that was raised in the Bossier City Council meeting last Friday. I have to admit that I was caught off guard during that meeting and certainly could have done a much better job of explaining the issues with my email in response to questions posed and assertions made by Councilman Brian Hammons.

To provide you with more information I provide the following: 

 Due to some space limitations that are unique to me and my current computer, I have my email program on my computer set to retrieve and maintain only 30 days of emails on my computer from the server. But that’s just on my computer. All my emails remain preserved and available on the city email server. It was a poor choice of words for me to use the phrase “pared down” because I could see how that could be misinterpreted that I am deleting emails. When in reality, all my emails remain on the city’s email server and none have been deleted. I have been employed by Bossier City for four years and all four years of my emails remain on the server. I have never deleted a single email and I can assure you that there has been no violation of any records retention schedule. 

  With regard to the “parking lot” investigation, I had provided documents and information on multiple occasions to Councilman Hammons and the investigative committee that he chairs. Those submissions included all documents that I believe are relevant to the investigation and responsive to his requests. I do not believe there are any emails sent or received by me that would have been relevant to the investigation beyond the documents that I had already provided. 

This notion that emails are lost or deleted is incorrect but I certainly could have explained the issue much better than I did in the meeting. Frankly, I was stunned by the accusations made against me and I chose my words poorly under those difficult circumstances. As I have maintained all along, I welcome review of these issues and look forward to clearing my name and reputation as I know I have done nothing wrong. 

Thanks for reaching out for clarification and allowing me to provide you with more information. I hope this answers your questions and addresses your concern. 

Richard R. Ray
Assistant Bossier City Attorney

Call for Public Records and Transparency 

Despite Ray’s statement, Councilman Hammons says certain emails were not provided by Ray but instead came from Ben Rauschenbach. A public records request has been filed to obtain all relevant communications between Ray, City Attorney Charles Jacobs, Mayor Tommy Chandler, and others.