Shreveport Mayor Arceneaux Withdraws His 2% Water Bill Fee Proposal

After much resistance from elected officials and public response, Shreveport Mayor Tom Arceneaux has withdrawn his proposal for a temporary 2% surcharge on water and sewer bills that was intended to fund the demolition of large, abandoned apartment complexes and commercial properties across Shreveport.

The decision follows discussions with members of the City Council and feedback from the public.

“I have asked the Chief Administrative Officer to prepare the budget ordinances without the surcharge and without the intended uses of the funds that the surcharge was projected to generate,” said Mayor Arceneaux. “We welcome input from the Council and the community on alternative ways to address large property demolitions.”

The Mayor emphasized that the need to address dangerous, dilapidated structures remains urgent. The City will continue to pursue litigation against negligent property owners, seek state and federal grants, and explore partnerships — including potential assistance from the Louisiana Army National Guard — to help remove unsafe buildings.

“Blight impacts every neighborhood in our city,” Mayor Arceneaux said. “We must continue working together to find realistic and responsible ways to eliminate it without jeopardizing the City’s financial stability.”

A copy of the Mayor’s letter to the City Council is below.

Honorable Members of the Shreveport City Council

Re: Proposed 2% Surcharge on Water Bills for Demolition

Dear City Council Members:

After receiving input from citizens and you, I have decided to withdraw the two percent water surcharge proposal. I have asked the Chief Administrative prepare the budget ordinances without the surcharge and without the intended uses of the funds that the surcharge was projected to generate. 

We welcome your input as to an alternative revenue source to fund the large property demolitions. We will continue to aggressively pursue litigation against slumlords and absentee property owners with dilapidated properties and properties that threaten the health and welfare of our community. 

We will also continue to look for ways to finance the demolition of the large properties without endangering the financial stability of the city or the marketability or insurability of the city's general obligation bonds. 

I have asked Property Standards, the City Attorney, and Community Development to identify any and all grants available to aid with the demolition of unsafe and unkept structures. In addition, we will continue our discussions with the Louisiana Army National Guard about the possibility of using National Guard personnel and equipment to demolish large structures, in the event that the Governor sends LANG personnel to Shreveport. 

We, a s a community, will ultimately have to address blight creep and the demolition of large properties. Initiatives like Block-by-Block will help to lift all neighborhoods. We look forward to future discussions about ways to better fund our demolition efforts across Shreveport because blight impacts us all.

Very truly yours,

Tom Arceneaux

MAYOR

Cc: Mr. Tom Dark

Mr. Marcus Edwards

Ms. Tari Bradford

Ms. LaTonya Bogan