Frequently Asked Questions

• Proposition One: Water and Sewerage Projects - $92.7 million
• Proposition Two: Public Buildings, Parks and City Systems - $38 million
  
  • Police Department Projects - $5.4 million
  • Fire Department Projects - $5.4 million
  • Parks and Recreation Projects - $26.2 million
  • Finance Department Project - $1 million
• Proposition Three: Streets and Drainage Projects - 44.3 million

If you have any questions or don't see an answer to your question, please contact the Program Coordinator Marcia Nelson at 318-673-7528.

• Recruitment and selection processes
• Classification and pay systems
• Policy development and management
• Employee training and development programs
• Equal employment opportunity and affirmative action programming
• Humanistic services such as Employee Assistance Programs (EAP)

1. Submit application by 12 noon on Friday of week advertised by mail, fax, email, or delivery
2. Application is scored the following week
3. Top 3 scores are selected for interview and forwarded to appropriate departments
4. If selected the applicants are contacted by appropriate department for interviews
5. If you are selected, your offer of employment will be contingent upon three things:
   • Criminal records background check
   • Drug screen
   • Physical

• Work performed: describes the general duties and responsibilities of the job
• Minimum qualifications: lists the knowledge, skills, abilities, education, and experience requirements at time of hire or promotion

• The application does not show the minimum amount of experience required
• The application does not show the minimum amount of education required
• The application is incomplete (something has been left out)
• Your application was received after the deadline for filing

In addition to the permit fee the facility will be required to test their wastewater at set intervals outlined in the permit. The cost of the periodic sampling events will vary greatly depending on how many and what kinds of parameters are listed in the facility's permit as well as the lab chosen to do the work. There are several independent labs in the Shreveport area to choose from.

It depends of how the industry is classified (general, non-significant, or significant industrial user). The parameters that will be required to test for depend solely on the characterization of the waste being discharged.

That determination will be made based on the information that is submitted in the application form

• Type of food being prepared
• Seating capacity
• Retention time needed for efficient removal of grease
• Frequency of maintenance
• Accessibility of trap
• Equipment connected to the trap

• 12 hour operation or less
  • Seating Capacity X 7 gallons = Minimum size of interceptor
• Over 12 hours of operation
  • Seating Capacity X 7 gallons X 2 = Minimum size of interceptor

• Bail out any water to facilitate cleaning
• Dip the grease out of the trap and put in a water tight container
• Scrape grease from all sides and lid
• Place grease container in trash receptacle

• Use a "dip stick" to measure grease layer
• Contact pumper to clean out trap
• Be sure the pumper scrapes all sides and that all trap contents are removed
• Inspect the trap for potential problems while it is empty

• Write accident reports on private lots
• Keep fire and handicap parking spaces clear
• Traffic control for power lines down or traffic signals out
• Assist at community functions with crowd control
• Be a police presence in neighborhoods

• Construct, enlarge, alter, repair or move, demolish, or change the occupancy of a structure
• Construct, alter, repair, or move:
  
  • Air conditioning and ventilating systems
  • Boilers
  • Electrical systems
  • Elevators
  • Furnaces
  • Incinerators
  • Plumbing and gas piping systems
  • Signs
  • Sprinkler and fire extinguishing systems

• Details on proposed alterations and renovations
• Exterior and interior elevations, and wall sections
• Floor plan to scale - labeled rooms / spaces
• Foundation plan with details to scale
• Heating, ventilating, and air conditioning plans to scale
• Schedules for doors, windows, room finishes, and framing details
• Site (plot) plan to scale (showing existing and proposed landscaping), size and location of all utilities, all structures proposed and existing, paving, parking, drainage, grade, elevations, or contours

Plans are reviewed by the Permits and Inspections Division and other officials to assure that the requirements of the following codes and ordinances are met:

• Cross lake pollution control ordinance
• Drainage / storm water control ordinance
• Erosion control during construction
• Fire prevention ordinance state fire marshal rules and regulation
• Flood hazard prevention ordinance
• Off-premise outdoor advertising regulations
• On-premise outdoor advertising ordinance
• Property standards code
• Standard building code (which includes necessary plumbing, HVAC. and other requirements)
• Zoning ordinance

This generally requires that representatives of several city departments review the submitted plans. For simple projects with properly completed plans, application reviews can often be completed in one or two days.

Projects which affect exits, stairs, seating arrangements, handicap accessibility, or any other features covered under state statues must be submitted to the state fire marshal for review. This may take from two to three weeks. If a project does not include any of these features, or you aren’t sure if your plans need to be submitted to the State Fire Marshal, you are encouraged to contact the Shreveport Fire Prevention Bureau at 318-673-6740.

Permits are issued in the name of the applicant. For that reason, it is generally helpful to have the contractor (rather than the building's owner or lessee) apply for the permit. This will assure that the contractor is held responsible for correcting any code violations. The decision as to whom the permit is issued rests with the building or project owner.

Commercial / industrial projects costing $50,000 or more must be constructed by a contractor licensed by the State of Louisiana and all insurance requirements are to be on file. Out-of-state contractors must post a bond required by the Louisiana Department of Revenue and Taxation prior to the issuance of any construction permits. For additional information, contact the Louisiana Sales Tax Section at 225-219-7356.

Building Permits for Parish of Caddo

• We do not release any parish, state, or national information.
• If  you have never been arrested by the Shreveport Police Department, we can provide you with a "Clearance Check" letter.
• You are required to provide us with:
  
  • A copy of your photo ID (Driver's License, or any other type of Government ID, Passport, etc.) that must list your name and date of birth.
  • A $20 fee (money order).  The fee must be received by the department before we can process your request. We can either mail the clearance letter to you or scan the letter and email it to you.
• If you live outside the Shreveport area or you are unable to request a local record check in person, please contact the AFIS Unit of the Shreveport Police Department at 318-673-7122 for information on processing your request.

If you are involved in a vehicle accident, you should allow approximately 48 hours for the report to be entered into the system before trying to obtain a copy.  Reports are available online https://policereports.lexisnexis.com/search?AGENCY=LA0090100.   Or you can also obtain a copy of the report at:

Police Department - Information Services Bureau

1234 Texas Ave.

Shreveport, LA

corner of Texas and Murphy

Monday - Friday

8 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Citizen parking is provided at metered spaces on the Murphy Street side of the department. The Information Services Bureau is located directly in front of you as you enter the Police Department entrance. All fees shall be charged and collected in accordance with Shreveport City Code Div. 2; Services; Section 26-106. Any fees charged shall be collected prior to the release of information.

Accident reports are $10.00 per report.

Offense or incident reports are $6.00 per report that does not exceed two pages and $2.00 per page for each page in excess of two pages including but not limited to witness statements and supplemental reports. If you have any further questions, call 318-673-7085.

• Noon June 25 to 10 p.m. July 5, except for the hours of 10 p.m. and 8 a.m.
• Noon December 15 to 10 p.m. January 1, except for the hours of 10 p.m. and 8 a.m. on all days except New Year's Eve when fireworks may be sold and discharged until 1 a.m. January 1.

318-675-2137 is the non emergency phone number for SFD.

Grass should not excess 12 inches tall.

11301 E. Kings Hwy.

Shreveport, LA 71115

Here's How You Can Help:

• Avoid Distractions while driving, such as texting and cell phones.
• Slow Down when approaching a solid waste truck.  Stop if necessary to allow workers to do their job.
• Look For Workers before attempting to pass the truck.
• Check For Traffic approaching from the opposite direction before going around the truck.

Click on the link below for more information about the Slow Down to Get Around safety campaign.  

Slow Down to Get Around 

All limbs must be cut less than 6 feet in length.

Expungement Information

The Louisiana State Police have information about filing an expungement and Motion to Expunge Common Problems.

All criminal filings are at no cost.

The court will provide an attorney for you through the Indigent Defender's Office should you not be able to afford an attorney. The Indigent Defender's Office charges an application fee.

You can use the utility for Court Date Lookup under the Criminal and Traffic Tools Menu on this website or call the Criminal Division at (318)673-5830.

If Your Ticket is Payable Online (Not Court Mandatory)

If your ticket does not require a court appearance, you can pay the fine and court costs before your scheduled date.

• Standard Fine and Costs: You will be assessed the standard fine amount plus court costs based on your specific violation.

• How to Look Up the Amount: Use our Online Portal to find the exact amount:

  1. Search for your name or the Citation number.

  2. All of your eligible citations will be displayed, showing the total standard fine and cost due.

If Your Ticket is Court Mandatory (Cannot Be Paid Online)

If you cannot find your citation on the online portal, it is likely Court Mandatory.

• Judge Sets the Fine: The fine amount will be determined and set by the judge during your mandatory court appearance.

• Payment: These tickets cannot be paid online or prior to your court date.

Citizens can use this mapto enter their address and find their City Council member or click the council district below to view the map for each district.

District A
District B
District C
District D
District E
District F
District G 

All City Council meetings are held at 3 p.m. in the City Council Chamber located on the 1st Floor of Government Plaza, 505 Travis St. Shreveport, LA 71101

In accordance with Section 1.11 of the Rules of Procedure

Citizens can comment at the Administrative Conference on any matter of public concern regardless of whether the item is on the agenda.

Citizens can comment at the Regular meeting only on matters which are on the agenda.

Citizen’s speaker request forms should be completed and submitted to the Clerk before the meeting starts.

City Council agendas and minutes are viewable via the City's website at this link: Agendas & Minutes

Ordinances and Resolutions are printed in the minutes of the meeting at which they are adopted and can be viewed at the  following links:

2002-2009 Archived City Council Agendas/Minutes

2012-2022 Archived City Council Agendas/Minutes 

Copies can also be obtained by calling or visiting the City Council’s office.

A small fee is required for hard copies.

Committee meetings are posted on the city website calendar at least twenty-four hours before the meeting in accordance with state law.  Additional information can be obtained from the City Council’s office.

The Mayor starts the budget process in June or July each year. 

The Mayor is required to submit all budget ordinances and review materials to the City Council on or before October 1^st of each year.

The City Council is required to hold a public hearing regarding the budget on or before November 15^th and to adopt the budget on or before December 15^th of each year.

Citizens can find answers about civic appropriations on the city’s website at the following links: Civic Appropriations Guidelines and Application

"Average Winter Months Consumption" is calculated before the first billing cycle in May. An Account must have actual consumption for the months of November, December, January, and February. Of these four months, the month with the highest consumption and the month with the lowest consumption are rejected. The consumption for the remaining two months is then averaged to arrive at the "Average Winter Months Consumption" which will determine the maximum amount charged for sewerage. 

Example of Calculation: 

Billing Month Service Dates Water Consumption 

November 2014 10/29/2014 - 11/29/2014  12,000 gallons 

December 2014 11/29/2014 - 12/29/2014  18,000 gallons 

January 201512/29/2014 - 01/31/2015  11,000 gallons 

February 20151/31/2015 - 2/28/2015  14,000 gallons 

In the example above, December is the month with the highest water consumption and January is the month with the lowest usage - these months are not used in the calculations. 12,000 (November consumption) + 14,000 (February consumption) = 26,000 26,000 / 2 = 13,000 gallons "Average Winter Months Consumption" 

If an account does not have history to calculate, the AWC set by the city is 6,000 gallons.

On the top left hand corner, there is a graph that illustrates usage. It shows how much was used this billing cycle, last month's billing cycle, and the usage a year ago. 

You may contact customer service at 318-673-5510.

You can either contact Public Works directly at 318-673-6300 or you can utilize the Report A Concern, see the attached link below.https://www.shreveportla.gov/2786/Report-A-Concern

The service is not free. There is a $60.00 annual cost associated with EMS Life Care Program.

EMS LifeCare has Open enrollment throughout the year.

The period of coverage is from the date that you sign up to the same date of the following year.

No! The Shreveport Fire Department only transports on an emergency basis.

An Emergency is defined as any circumstance which results in injury or illness that calls for IMMEDIATE action and in which the element of time in transporting the sick or injured for medical treatment is essential to the health or life of such a person. Example: Motor Vehicle Collision, Cardio-Respiratory problems, Acute Neurological deficits, etc.,

No. It just applies to transports made by the Shreveport Fire Department.  Any 911 Emergency transport made within the city of Shreveport will be covered by EMS Lifecare Membership.

Yes. However, keep in mind that the membership only applies to transports made within the city of Shreveport.  

Immediately call The City’s Department of Water and Sewerage at 318-673-7600. Staff will be deployed to investigate, clean, take samples, and work with the state’s Department of Environmental Quality to report and monitor the spill. You should also take these precautions:

• Keep people away from the area of the overflow (typically a manhole). This is especially important for children and pets who may play near the overflow area (e.g., street, public park, or local streams, creeks, and rivers).
• Do not go near or touch the overflow. However, if you do happen to come in contact with the sewage overflow, wash your hands thoroughly in warm, soapy water before handling food or touching other persons or surfaces.

Please call customer service at 318-673-6000 for additional questions.

Public records are defined by the Louisiana Public Records Law as “[a]ll books, records, writings, accounts, letters and letter books, maps, drawings, photographs, cards, tapes, recordings, memoranda, and papers, and all copies, duplicates, photographs, including microfilm, or other reproductions thereof, or any other documentary materials, regardless of physical form or characteristics, including information contained in electronic data processing equipment, having been used, being in use, or prepared, possessed, or retained for use in the conduct, transaction, or performance of any business, transaction, work, duty, or function which was conducted, transacted, or performed by or under the authority of the constitution or laws of this state, or by or under the authority of any ordinance, regulation, mandate, or order of any public body or concerning the receipt or payment of any money received or paid by or under the authority of the constitution or the laws of this state.”

Every record made or received by the City is presumed to be a public record, unless it is subject to an exemption. Public records exempt from disclosure are those that federal, state or local law prohibits the City from disclosing or permits the City to decline to disclose. Louisiana Public Records Law and its exemptions appear in La. R.S 44:4.1.et. seq.

To review or receive a copy of a public record, you must first make a request to the “custodian” of the document in question. The most efficient way to make a public records request to the City-Parish is through the Public Records Request Portal.

The custodian of a public record is “the public official or head of any public body having custody or control of a public record, or a representative specifically authorized by him to respond to request to inspect any such public records.”

To expedite processing of your request, please be as specific as possible and include all information that could help fulfill the request. Keep in mind that all public records requests must request a record, not ask a question.  The most efficient way to make a public records request to the city is through the Public Records Request Portal.

Any person of the age of majority may request a public record.

Examinations of records must be conducted during regular office or working hours (Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.), unless the custodian authorizes examination of records in other than regular office or working hours. In this latter event, the persons designated to represent the custodian during such examination shall be entitled to reasonable compensation to be paid to them by the public body having custody of such record, out of funds provided in advance by the person examining such record in other than regular office or working hours.

There is no fee for the response or to examine records. The Department may charge for the duplication of copies of records. If there is a request of a copy of a record in a format other than paper, then the Department may charge you for the cost of the medium on which the information is duplicated (e.g., a computer disc). In addition, a Department may charge you for the postage of sending the records to the requester.

No there is no monthly service fees, or any fees associated with the service.  The only cost that may be associated with the integration could be the FUSUS core box.   This will be discussed before integration.  The prices of the FUSUS core boxes vary based on how many cameras are integrated.  The City of Shreveport is providing some core boxes free of charge.

The RTCC only has access to the camera feeds the establishment allows the RTCC to have, all other camera feeds will be blocked from viewing.

All footage is stored at the location of the establishment, the only time the RTCC stores data is if footage is recorded by the RTCC.  Once recorded that footage is stored in a CJUS compliant vault and is maintained as evidence until released to the proper agency.  

At any point in time the establishment no longer wishes to participate they simply unplug the FUSUS core box at that point the link for the RTCC to view the camera feeds is no longer available for the RTCC.

The RTCC responds to calls for service on which our assistance is requested, or high priority calls for service.  During times that no such calls for service are required, the RTCC monitors camera feeds to search for possible criminal activity.

An RTCC is staffed 24/7 by analysts whose primary mission is to reduce the number of man-hours required for detectives to find and use video evidence. Also, in priority 1 or life-threatening events, analysts will use cameras to find more information while a patrol officer is in route or on scene.

Citizens often ask, “How can I help?” when it comes to public safety. One of the primary ways residents of Shreveport can help is by sharing relevant video clips from their street facing cameras, like a Ring doorbell.

The registry tool is a way to tell the RTCC and SPD that you have a street-facing camera, and how you can be contacted (e-mail, phone). If any crime happens in your neighborhood, the registry allows the RTCC to request footage in a few clicks.

The RTCC cannot view registry cameras, and can only receive video when a citizen decides to upload it.

You will receive a text and email with a secure link to upload clips requested should you wish to participate.

https://cityofshreveport.fususregistry.com/camera-registry

Businesses with street facing cameras may sign up with the RTCC Registry application just like any other citizen, but businesses can also purchase a $200 device (one-time cost) or $600 device (depending on how many cameras they wish to share) to allow the RTCC the ability to retrieve clips and review footage.

Any business who integrates directly in this way can provide parameters for how long video is stored, and should they ever wish to remove the integration, they can simply unplug the device.

This is due to a variety of reasons. The data center that houses all of the technology that runs government services is a 24/7 facility, with all of the battery and generator backup required for power, and two fiber internet connections, allowing the RTCC to stay up and running 24/7.

A RTCC is heavily dependent on technology, and locating it near all of the experts within the IT department allows technology issues and integrations to be resolved quickly and cost effectively.

Furthermore, the RTCC division is an unclassified division, with policies and procedures that match an evidence room. This both allows the IT department to deal with personnel problems quickly and hire more quickly than typical Civil Service or HR processes allow.

Finally, the primary mission of the RTCC is to support public safety, but video evidence and surveillance is used across many departments and is useful in many more situations – from natural disasters to weather events like our recent deep freeze, and more.

During emergency situations, if cameras are found near the event, the RTCC will search the video for anything that can help protect our officers or give them greater insight. During an event, the RTCC Analysts have a radio channel dedicated to conveying information to Caddo 911 Dispatchers, who will then disseminate the information (this allows for 911 dispatchers to continue being the source of information during an event).

For events in the past, detectives will request the aid of the RTCC, and analysts will provide any footage directly to the detective through a secure evidence vault.

While the City of Shreveport is installing camera systems on poles, having video evidence within neighborhoods or from participating businesses will help the RTCC have many more cameras available for evidence with the participation of businesses and citizens.

It would be impossible to purchase, build, and install camera systems that could cover the same areas that citizens are able to by participating with the Real Time Crime Center.

The Shreveport Guaranteed Income pilot program will serve 110 households for one year. That scope, while enormously significant to participants, does not meet the needs of our entire community. The goal of the Shreveport Guaranteed Income pilot program is to display the positive effects and outcomes of guaranteed income and to be used to advocate for similar programs at the state and federal level.

The monthly stipend is $660.00 per selected household.

Shreveport residents who are single parents with an income below 120% of the Federal Poverty level will be eligible and encouraged to apply to participate in this pilot. We are defining a single parent as a mother, father, stepparent, grandparent, caregiver, or legal guardian with a school-age child (Defined as a child at least 3 years old and less than 20 years old as of August 2021). The resident must be functionally single, whether married or unmarried. If unmarried, the resident cannot be living with a partner.

Applicants selected will be informed after approximately three weeks from the close of the application. 

An outside, independent entity will conduct a lottery to select participants from the eligible pool of applicants. Once participants are selected, a second lottery will sort eligible applicants. Participants will be randomly selected into an “treatment intervention group,” and a “control group,.” or a non-participant group. The intervention group will receive the guaranteed income. The control group will NOT receive the guaranteed income, but will be invited to participate in future research activities. The control group allows us to understand the impact of guaranteed income over time amongst two similar groups of people: one who receives guaranteed income and one who does not. People assigned to the non-participant group will not receive a guaranteed income through the program and will not be invited to participate in any further research activities.

The City of Shreveport and our partners are working closely with the United Way of Northwest Louisiana, the Federal Reserve, and other organizations to keep guaranteed income from impacting other benefits such as Child Care Assistance, SNAP, and emergency rental assistance. We will have a link where a benefit calculator will be made available during the application period to determine potential impact as well as financial counselors available to determine if any participants’ benefits will be impacted.

The City of Shreveport conducted extensive community outreach to design this program led by Mayor Adrian Perkins. Organizations engaged include the Office of Community Development, United Way of Northwest Louisiana through the Shreveport Financial Empowerment Center, Power Coalition for Equity and Justice, Shreveport Public Assembly & Recreation, and many others.

• Must be a resident of Shreveport, La
• Families with non-school age children between ages 0 to 3 years 
• A resident of Shreveport, LA
• 100 percent of the participants’ incomes will be up to 300 percent of the poverty rate as determined by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) poverty guidelines below:

Type III Centers are early learning centers that directly or indirectly receive state or federal funding to provide affordable childcare for low-income, hard-working Louisiana families. These services are available to qualifying families of infants, toddlers, and Pre-K children. 

 Type III Child Care Centers are: 

• State Licensed
• First Aid/CPR Certified
• Health and Safety standards required by State Licensing
• Annual Health Department Inspection
• Annual Fire Marshall Inspection
• Academic Approval is required by the Louisiana Department of Education
• Lead Teachers must obtain a CDA within 24 months
• Tier 1 Curriculum used in all classrooms
• CLASS Observations conducted in all classrooms

 You can find out more information by visiting www.caddosmartstart.com to find resources and information on the Centers participating in the scholarships.

The Caddo Parish Public Schools will select the participants through an application process.

The Shreveport Early Start Initiative will run for 36 months depending on the age of entry.

The City of Shreveport is using 2,800,000.00 from its general government operating reserves for the Caddo Parish Ready Start Network for Scholarships.

Funding can be layered with other funding sources.

If you are unemployed, you must be registered in the HIRE system with the Louisiana Workforce Commission.

Yes, you can call Johnetta Dotson with Caddo Parish Public Schools at 318-603-6468.

You can sign up by completing the Supplier Registration form online through the City of Shreveport’s website. Once submitted, your application will be reviewed by the Procurement Department.

You will need to provide your legal business name, business type (LLC, Sole Proprietor, etc.), Employer Identification Number (EIN) or Social Security Number (SSN), mailing address, phone number, email, and a completed W-9 form.

Once submitted, your registration is reviewed by the City’s Procurement staff. If all required information is complete and valid, you will be added to the City’s supplier database and notified by email.

Yes, a completed and signed W-9 form is required unless you already have a current W-9 on file with the City. If you have one on file, you can check the corresponding box on the form.

Yes, if you operate as a sole proprietor or individual, you may use your Social Security Number in place of an EIN.

These are businesses that are at least 51% owned and operated by individuals who identify as a minority, woman, or veteran. You can voluntarily identify your business as such on the form.

The City uses its registered supplier database to notify qualified businesses of purchasing opportunities and bid solicitations.

You can view current bid opportunities and procurement notices on the City of Shreveport’s Purchasing Division webpage or official procurement portal.

Bidding requirements vary depending on the size and type of purchase. Typically, formal bids require sealed submissions by a specified deadline and may include specifications, insurance, and bonding requirements.

Insurance requirements depend on the nature of the goods or services provided. Vendors may be required to provide proof of liability insurance, workers’ compensation, or other coverage. Specific requirements will be listed in bid documents.

No, there is no fee to register as a supplier with the City of Shreveport.

You do not need a City of Shreveport business license to register as a supplier, but certain contracts may require proof of a valid business license at the time of award.

Supplier registration remains valid as long as your information remains current. Suppliers are responsible for notifying the City of any changes to their contact or tax information.

For assistance, contact the City’s Procurement Office by phone or email, listed on the registration webpage, or visit the office in person at Government Plaza.

You will receive a confirmation email once your registration is processed. Your business will then be eligible to receive bid notifications and be considered for procurement opportunities with the City.