Monday October 13, 2008 marks the beginning of the Shreveport City Council’s work sessions on the Proposed 2009 Operating Budget.

At the urging of Shreveport Mayor Cedric B. Glover, Monday’s Budget Work Session will be televised on Comcast and held in City Council Chambers on the first floor of Government Plaza, 505 Travis Street.

To ensure an “open and clear understanding of the City’s budget process,” Mayor Glover is suggesting that all budget sessions are held in open council chambers, to accommodate more citizen participation.

“This is an open and inclusive process and a key part of the process is for citizens to witness the deliberations and arguments for and against certain expenditures,” says Mayor Glover. “We thank Comcast for their support in this endeavor.”

The public is invited to Council Chambers Monday October 13, 2008 for the Budget Work Session that will begin at about 5:30-6:00 PM.

**The approximate time is due to the fact that the Budget Work Session will immediately follow the regular 3:00 PM monthly Council Work Session.

Dates, times and location of following budget meetings will be posted on the City’s website www.shreveportla.gov.

Citizens can also read Mayor Glover’s Budget Letter … view a condensed Budget Summary … or read through the 490 page proposed $455 million budget at www.shreveportla.gov. And after viewing the document, residents can submit their ideas and input.

The executive budget submitted by Council for their consideration and ultimate, final passage, must be approved by December 15, 2008.