Minden · issues
Civic issues
Topics getting the most attention in Minden public meetings, ranked by how frequently they come up.
September 2026 Police Report
Police Chief Jared McIver will brief the council on department activity for September — a monthly pulse check on public safety in Minden.
Marshall Street Water Improvement Project
The council locked in a $250,290 state line-item appropriation to rehab a water main on Marshall Street. Because it came through as supplemental cash, the project can move quickly.
Robertson Lift Station Improvements Funding
The council will ratify Mayor Cox's state agreement to get capital outlay funds for upgrading the Robertson Lift Station — key sewer infrastructure.
$125,000 State Legislative Appropriation
The council will authorize the mayor to accept a $125,000 line-item appropriation from the 2026 legislative session via a cooperative endeavor agreement.
2025-2026 Budget Fourth-Quarter Review
Sales tax collections dropped 12.13% this month — not a panic, just the city lapping last year's big electrical equipment sales from major construction projects. This month is tracking much stronger so far.
Zoning Regulations for Sexually Oriented Businesses
Ordinance No. 1176 would write Minden's first land-use rules for sexually oriented businesses, confining them to the B-4 Highway Commercial District with buffers from schools, churches, and homes. This shapes what can open where in town.
Cybersecurity Grant Funding
Mayor Cox would be authorized to accept state cybersecurity grant funds for fiscal years 2023 and 2024 to bolster the city's defenses.
2026-2027 Budget Amendment
The city's spending plan for the next fiscal year was reviewed in workshop. What the council settles on will shape funding for city services, streets, and public safety over the coming year.
Annual Fire Report for 2026
The fire department expects a new insurance grade within 30 days after a strong PIAL evaluation — potentially good news for homeowners' insurance. Two fire operator positions remain open.
Louisville Road deterioration and safety
Councilman Myles pressed for state help on Louisville Road, which he called as bad as Homer Road was, with heavy truck traffic tearing it up and the city spending its own money patching potholes. Speeding and pedestrians crossing are also safety concerns.
October Events and Traffic
A busy October ahead: Angel Baby fun run blocking Broadway this Saturday, the fair, parades, homecoming, and a trunk-or-treat the week of October 20-24. Plan for detours downtown.
Ward 1 Marshal Authority
New state law required the council to formally re-authorize the Ward 1 Marshal's operational authority. The city is obligated to pay the marshal regardless, so continuation passed without debate.
Lithium-ion battery disposal
Council members asked what residents should do with dead lithium batteries, which can catch fire in trash trucks. There's currently no local drop-off — only one known site in Shreveport — and the fire chief said he's been researching options.
Street Improvement Program Bid Award
Street work bids came in about $200,000 under the engineer's estimate. Officials discussed using the savings to do more work on Shepard Street the first time around.
Airport hangar rental fee increases
The council closed out grant funding for the completed parallel taxiway North project and started the five-year cycle to re-select the airport's engineer.
Hospital ownership transition
The hospital's current owner wants to transition out and says it will cooperate, but no one knows yet who's buying in or on what timeline. Mayor Cox says the council-hired lobbyist David Gaines has been key in navigating the process.
Fire training pipeline for high school students
The fire chief highlighted an award-winning program training high school students for fire service certifications and college credit — a response to the nationwide volunteer shortage. Four students participated last year; ten start this year.
$5.5 Million in 2026 State Appropriations
Minden landed over $5.5 million from the state this session for five projects: the Robertson Lift Station, the water storage tank, a generator, Marshall Street water improvements, and a new fire station. Combined with last year, that's nearly $14.5 million for local infrastructure in two sessions.