Council proposes cap and accountability for nonprofit funding; arts council seeks clarity

Council introduced a first‑reading ordinance intended to limit annual financial contributions from the city to nongovernmental organizations and to create procedures for accountability. The proposed policy would cap contributions at $20,000 annually for eligible nonprofits and tie funding to cooperative endeavor agreements (CEAs) limited to three years and subject to reporting requirements about how funds benefit Bossier City residents. The ordinance would also include a formulaic cap (half a percent of general fund expenditures) to adjust for inflation and budget changes.

Nathan Hicks, acting chair of the Bossier Arts Council, asked whether the arts council would qualify under the ordinance and how the new reporting and CEA process would affect existing arrangements. City administration said longstanding agreements and the arts council’s existing cooperative endeavor agreement would exempt them from the $20,000 cap and that the city would notify existing partner organizations of the new process. Jeremy Heffner, interim director of the Bossier Arts Council and venue coordinator, described programming at Eastbank Plaza and asked for clear reporting criteria; he said many events are free public programming and that staffing constraints affect reportable activity.

Council members and staff agreed on the need for improved reporting by recipients of public funds. Several councilors said they would be strict about documentation showing direct benefit to city residents and would expect enhanced transparency in the next budget cycle. The ordinance was introduced on first reading and would take effect in January 2026; staff said they would notify affected organizations of the new application and reporting requirements.