Stacey Tinsley, Bossier Press-Tribune
At its regular meeting on Tuesday, October 21, the Bossier City Council introduced and approved the first reading of an ordinance that would limit financial contributions to non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and establish new procedures for accountability. The measure was introduced by Mayor Tommy Chandler and Councilman Chris Smith and is designed to increase fiscal transparency and ensure public funds are distributed responsibly. This was the first reading of the ordinance, with the second reading and possible adoption scheduled for the next council meeting.
The proposed ordinance, titled “An Ordinance Limiting Financial Contributions to Non-Governmental Organizations and Establishing Procedures for Accountability,” sets clear limits on how city funds can be allocated to private, nonprofit, or charitable entities that are not part of a governmental body.
Under the proposal, total city funding distributed to NGOs would be capped at one-half of one percent (0.5%) of the city’s annual General Fund budget. In addition, no single organization could receive more than $20,000 in city funds within a fiscal year, regardless of the amount requested. All contributions would require a recommendation from the Mayor and approval by a majority vote of the City Council.
“This ordinance is about responsible stewardship of taxpayer dollars,” Councilman Smith said during the meeting.
The ordinance establishes a formal application and approval process. NGOs would be required to submit funding requests to the City Clerk and Director of Finance by September 1 of each fiscal year. All requests would be reviewed and voted on during the city’s annual budget process. No city department, officer, or employee would be permitted to distribute funds outside this process.
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Organizations approved for funding would be required to enter into a three-year cooperative endeavor agreement with the city. Renewal requests must be submitted before the expiration of the current agreement. These agreements ensure that public funds are spent and monitored according to clear guidelines.
The ordinance also includes detailed accountability measures. NGOs receiving city funds would need to submit a post-award report within 90 days after the end of the fiscal year, outlining how the funds were spent and what outcomes were achieved. Failure to provide this report would result in ineligibility for city funding for a period of two years.
If approved, it would go into effect on January 1, 2026.