Shreveport Property Tax Millage Referendum Targets Resident Utility and Housing Costs

The Shreveport City Council placed a referendum on the November 2026 ballot that would extend the existing 12.5-mill property tax rate for another five years. The measure applies to all residential parcels inside city limits and would take effect with the 2027 tax year if approved by voters.

Local property taxes fund fire protection, street maintenance and a portion of the city’s general fund. City budget documents for fiscal year 2026 show these revenues cover roughly 28 percent of operating expenses not met by state or federal transfers. Rising assessed values in several neighborhoods have already increased bills for many owners since the last reassessment cycle.

How the Extension Would Reach Household Budgets

Property taxes appear on annual bills sent by the Caddo Parish Tax Collector and are often passed through to renters via lease adjustments. A homeowner in the 71105 zip code whose assessed value rose 9 percent last cycle would continue paying the same rate rather than facing an automatic increase tied to new valuations. Local advocates note that fixed-income households in the Queensborough and Cedar Grove areas track these bills closely because they compete with grocery and insurance line items.

The measure does not create new exemptions or rebates. It simply keeps the rate unchanged, so any future growth in tax collections would come only from new construction or appreciation rather than a higher millage. Policy analysts say this structure limits one variable in monthly expenses while leaving water, sewer and electricity rates set separately by the city’s Department of Water and Sewerage.

Next Steps for Voters and Taxpayers

Early voting begins October 20. The Caddo Parish Clerk of Court will mail sample ballots to registered voters by mid-September. If the referendum fails, the millage would revert to the previous rate beginning in 2027, requiring the city council to identify other revenue sources or reduce services funded by the general fund. City finance staff have scheduled three public meetings in August at the Shreveport Municipal Auditorium to explain the calculation method used by the assessor’s office.