KSLA News 12 Shreveport, Louisiana |Bossier budget could cut thousands for arts

Bossier budget could cut thousands for arts

By Fred Childers - bio|email

BOSSIER CITY, LA (KSLA) -  When Bossier City Mayor Lorenz "Lo" Walker announced a projected 6.5 million dollar budget shortfall for 2010, his administration had already looked for ways to trim - under his proposal 40 positions would be eliminated in the police department, and 40 positions would be eliminated in the fire department.

 Here's the money those salaries will save: The police department would save more than 1 million dollars.

The elimination of fire fighters positions will result in saving $1,500,000.

Bossier City would also eliminate contributions to outside agencies.

Sci- Port will lose $50,000, the film commission would lose out on $15,000, the Red River Film Society would lose $50,000, and the arts council will lose 55,000.

"It's a very devastating hit for us," said Kelly Warner, the Executive Director of the Bossier Arts Council.

The arts council will see their allocation cut in half, effecting how it reaches the community.

"It allows us to do a lot more of the community outreach and providing quality programming for bossier residents that's unfortunately going to suffer because of it," said Warner.

But with the budget not even passed, organizations like the arts council are expected to try their best to convince city leaders to leave their allocation alone.

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