BOSSIER CITY, La. - The Bossier City Council has officially ended its months-long investigation into a controversial $280,000 parking lot project, releasing documents and two independent legal opinions that state city officials acted within their authority.
The council approved a resolution Tuesday dissolving the investigative committee examining the city's decision to repave and connect the parking lots of Scot's Audio and Bossier Power & Equipment following the Walter O. Bigby Carriageway Project.
The resolution also makes the committee's records, correspondence and outside legal opinions part of the public record.
Mayor Tommy Chandler and Councilman at Large Chris Smith said the investigation has run its course.
"The outside legal review has been completed, outside auditors have looked at it and everyone's signed off on it. Ultimately, it is a done matter. We are trying to move forward and make sure it doesn't happen again," said Smith.
The legal opinions conclude Chandler and the city attorney had the authority under the city's Home Rule Charter to settle claims with the two businesses related to the roadway project. The opinions found no evidence that city officials intentionally violated Louisiana's Public Bid Law.
The City Council adopted new transparency measures at the same meeting. A public online spending portal has been launched where residents can review city expenditures, including legal settlements. The council also adopted a resolution last year requiring the council president to be notified of legal settlements exceeding $50k.
"You can go in there and see what we're spending on certain expenditures like legal settlements, so you know how your tax dollars are being spent," said Smith.
Not everyone agrees the matter is settled. During public comment, Bossier City resident David Crockett argued the city violated Louisiana law by failing to publish the proposed settlements before they were finalized.
The two legal opinions differed on this issue. One attorney concluded the publication requirement should have been followed, but can be corrected with ratification. The second opinion concluded the requirement does not apply to Bossier City since it operates under a Home Rule Charter.
The council released all documents related to the investigation, and the Louisiana Legislative Auditor may further review the information.
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