Columns & Opinions

All of the major NW LA sales taxing jurisdictions are ahead in March vs last year, and all are up YTD in their fiscal years.

Contributing Columnist

While different economic data and trends can paint all kinds of pictures, LSU Shreveport economist Doug White points to two local data points that signal local economic strength.

All but 1 of the 6 NW LA Sales tax bodies saw a jump in their January receipts vs 2025. Bossier City-Parish saw a decline. The City of Shreveport imposes its 2.75% sales tax rate on a calendar year. It had its second biggest month ever to start the new year, with $15,767,826 deposited, exceeded only by $15,975,984 for January 2023. In January 2025 it collected $15,312,283, so this 2026 tally is 3.0% greater than last year. The Caddo Parish School Board levies a 1.5% sales tax rate. It operates on a July 1 - June 30 fiscal year, as do all school boards. In January it received $10,319,584 vs $9,950,605 in 2025, 3.7% more. Through 7 fiscal months its total is also a 3.7% rise, garnering $66,255,595 vs $63,876,024 a year ago. The Law Enforcement District of Caddo, the Sheriff, levies a 0.35% sales tax rate using a calendar year. In January 2026 its sum of $2,408,230 is 3.9% more than 2025’s $2,318,334. Bossier Parish School Board’s receipts of $6,859,334 show a 6.2% uptick from last year’s $6,326,904. In 7 months, it is 8.4% more than its prior total, $42,648,034 vs $39,335,215.

In December '25 NW LA sales tax jurisdictions saw a jump in 5 of the 6 major bodies. The only decline in receipts deposited was in the City of Shreveport.

Shreveport’s Metropolitan Planning Commission will consider a plan to use the former Don’s Seafood location on Kings Highway for a convenience store and gas station at its first meeting of 2026.

When it comes to zoning decisions there are generally two camps. One is the pro zoning change and the other is the con zoning change. The members of each camp change constantly depending on the zoning/planning cases and issues. Thus, the MPC executive director can be a sinner and a saint, all in the same day, depending on the zoning decisions that are made by the MPC Board, the Zoning Board of Appeals, and/ or the city council or the Caddo Commission.

All 3 major Caddo Parish sales taxing jurisdictions rose in November over 2024. Only 1 of 3 did so in Bossier Parish.