Police Jury Meeting Notes: September 4, 2019

Bossier Parish voters will get the opportunity to determine whether or not betting on horse racing events will be allowed at off-track wagering facilities in the parish.

Police Jury members voted unanimously Wednesday to adopt a resolution calling for a special election sometime in the future to determine the issue after hearing officials at Harrah’s Louisiana Downs discuss the need for additional revenues.

Parish Attorney Patrick Jackson indicated the police jury would give Harrah’s Louisiana Downs officials time to complete their plans for the issue before setting an election date. He indicated that could be sometime in the Spring of 2020.

“As we’ve had increased competition our revenues have declined over the past several years,” explained Harrah’s Louisiana Downs General Manager Mike Rich. “We’re looking for ways to make us more attractive…to increase purses for horsemen and keep them coming here.”

Rich said his company hopes to have locations from the southern to extreme northern portions of the parish. Part of the plan would be to find existing buildings that are not being utilized to their fullest and create a more viable business atmosphere.

If the proposition passes, video poker machines will be permitted in OTB locations, creating another revenue stream. A breakdown of revenues shows about 50 percent of wagers going to the purses along with about 15 percent of the slot revenue from Harrah’s casino. Video poker proceeds from OTB locations would put 15 percent toward purses.

Rich estimated each OTB location would generate about seven figures worth of revenue.

“We’re talking about very nice facilities complete with food offerings and a pleasant atmosphere,” he said.

In other business, police jury members:

• Approved plat of the proposed development of The Crossing at Wemple subdivision, Unit No. 4.
• Scheduled a public hearing on October 2 to consider approval of the plat of the proposed development of Cane’s Landing subdivision, Unit No. 1, a gated subdivision.
• Scheduled a public hearing on October 2 to consider approval of the plat of the proposed development of Rosedale Place subdivision, Unit No. 16, a gated subdivision.
• Scheduled a public hearing on October 2 to consider approval of the plat of the proposed development of Rosedale Place subdivision, Unit No. 17, a gated subdivision.
• Condemned property at 430 Lintwin Cr., Benton; closed case of property at 117 Cedar Brook Lane, Haughton; granted extension on property at 502 Wildlife Lane, Bossier City.
• Adopted a resolution ordering and calling a special election to be held in the Parish of Bossier, State of Louisiana, to authorize the establishment of off-track wagering facilities therein; making application to the State Bond Commission in connection therewith; and providing for other matters in connection therewith.
• Ratified approval of a settlement agreement and release between the Bossier Parish Police Jury, City of Bossier City, McInnis Brothers Construction, Inc., Johnson Controls, Inc., and Cyber Innovation Center, Inc.
• Adopted a resolution supporting EDKO, LLC, 4615 Marlena Street, Bossier City, allowing them to receive the local benefits of the Enterprise Zone Program.
• Reappointed Elmore Morris to the Bossier Parish Library Board of Control for a five-year term, term to expire October 1, 2024.
• Discussed disposal of eviction items.
• Approved change order No. 2 for the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program, FEMA project #349, Bossier Parish, for Willow Chute Bayou drainage improvements project.
• Approved a standard form of agreement with Denmon Engineering Company, Inc., for engineering services for the FY2019 Louisiana Community Development Block Grant project for sewer system improvements in Merrywood subdivision.