Bossier City Proposes New Sewer Rate Increases
Business owners should prepare for a 16% base rate hike and a 29% usage increase as the city targets a budget surplus.
Updated on Oct. 21, 2026 in Utilities
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Bossier City Mayor Tommy Chandler has proposed significant sewer rate increases to address a $4.7 million department shortfall. The plan, which follows a decade of stagnant pricing, would impact local households and business operating costs.
Why it matters
Rising operational expenses have outpaced revenue for the city's sewer utility, threatening long-term financial viability. Operators must now prepare for increased utility overhead as the city seeks to shift a current deficit into a $1.1 million surplus by 2027.
The proposed budget includes a 16% hike in the service base rate and a 29% increase in usage charges, which the city uses to cover a $4.7 million shortfall. If approved, the measures aim to flip current expenditures of $26.3 million into a $1.1 million surplus by 2027.
The players
Tommy Chandler
The Mayor of Bossier City responsible for proposing the current municipal operating and capital budget.
EisnerAmper
A global professional services firm that conducted the sewer rate study for the city.
Bossier City City Council
The local governing body tasked with reviewing and passing municipal budget ordinances.
The details
The city calculates sewer costs using a flat service charge combined with a usage fee based on water delivery volumes. To rectify years of financial stagnation since the last rate adjustment in 2013, the new proposal aims to align current revenue with rising maintenance and operational expenditures. Business owners should factor these impending changes into their utility expense projections as the city moves toward sustainable financial targets.
Timeline
2013: The year of the last sewer rate increase.
September 2026: The city identified the current sewer department shortfall.
October 20, 2026: The City Council introduced the operating and capital budget package.
November 2026: The expected introduction of the rate increase ordinance to the council.
2027: The target year for reaching financial sustainability.
Market Landscape
This proposal marks the first departure from the 2013 sewer rate levels, effectively ending a 13-year period of stagnant utility pricing in the region. The move reflects a broader trend of municipalities aggressively adjusting utility fees to meet long-term infrastructure funding requirements.
Business operators should review their utility cost projections immediately, as a 29% increase in usage charges will likely impact monthly overhead. Review current water consumption data and consult with your accountant regarding potential budget reallocations before the anticipated November ordinance introduction.
The takeaway
Closing a $4.7 million deficit requires significant rate adjustments that will likely alter standard utility expenditures for local businesses. Operators should monitor the November council sessions closely to determine if the proposed 16% base and 29% usage hikes proceed as scheduled.
What happens next
The City Council is expected to formally introduce the rate increase ordinance in November 2026.
Further reading
For more on how infrastructure pricing impacts local businesses, see our Utilities section.
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Do you support increasing local utility rates to fund long-term infrastructure improvements in your area?
