By Stacey Tinsley, Bossier Press-Tribune
The contentious issue of term limits for Bossier City officials will go before voters on March 29, 2025, following a judicial decision rejecting an appeal by five city council members who sought to block the proposed charter amendment.
The Second Circuit Court of Appeal upheld a September ruling by Bossier District Judge Parker Self, affirming the legality of the citizen-led petition and ordering the election as mandated by the city charter. The appellate court’s opinion, released Wednesday January 15, highlighted the council’s obligation to honor the petition process and place the proposal on the March ballot.
In July 2024, a petition organized by the Bossier City Term Limits Coalition proposed amending the city charter to impose term limits. The petition, verified by the Registrar of Voters, garnered enough signatures to require action. However, in August, the Bossier City Council rejected the proposal despite its validity being confirmed by the city attorney.
Five council members—David Montgomery, Don “Bubba” Williams, Jeffrey “Jeff” Darby, Jeff Free, and Vince Maggio—subsequently filed an appeal, arguing the petition was invalid on several grounds, including procedural issues and concerns about the amendment’s impact on the current terms of Bossier City elected officials.
The appellate court dismissed the council members’ arguments, stating:
- Mandatory Election Requirement: The city charter clearly mandates that a verified petition with sufficient signatures must result in a voter referendum.
- Petition Certification: The Registrar of Voters properly certified the petition, satisfying all procedural requirements.
- Council’s Role Limited: The council lacked discretion to reject the proposal once the petition met the charter’s requirements.
In its opinion, the appellate court noted that the council’s refusal to call the election could be interpreted as “malfeasance in office.” The judges also emphasized that the validity of the proposed amendment could only be contested after adoption, should voters approve it.
The five council members who filed the appeal—Williams, Darby, Free, Maggio, and Montgomery—were assessed $331 in appellate court costs. Meanwhile, the Louisiana Bond Commission approved the inclusion of the term limits proposal on the March 29 ballot in December of 2024.
The term limits proposal, if passed, would set a three-term limit for the mayor and City Council members. However, it would not apply retroactively, meaning the limits would only take effect for officials elected in future cycles. The ballot will also feature two other charter revisions unrelated to term limits.
With the court’s decision, Bossier City voters will have the final say on March 29, potentially shaping the future of Bossier City’s governance.