Politics
Shreveport 2026 Budget Millage Rate Reset Affects Property Tax Bills for Caddo Parish Homeowners
The City of Shreveport's approved 2026 millage adjustments will alter annual property tax payments for residents in all city council districts beginning with December billing cycles.
How we reported this
The Shreveport City Council passed the fiscal year 2026 operating budget on June 23, which resets millage rates for the general fund and dedicated levies. These changes apply to all taxable properties within city limits and will appear on bills issued by the Caddo Parish Tax Assessor's office.
Why the reset occurs now
State law requires annual recalculation of millage rates after property reassessments. The latest reassessment cycle, completed in spring 2026, showed an average 8 percent rise in assessed values across Shreveport residential parcels. The council voted to adjust the rates downward to keep total revenue within the limits set by the 2025 ordinance, while preserving allocations for street maintenance and fire protection.
Local residents will notice the impact on their December 2026 and subsequent tax statements. A homeowner whose property assessed value increased from $120,000 to $129,600 can expect the city portion of the bill to change by an amount determined by the new millage, rather than by the full value increase. Renters may see indirect effects if landlords adjust lease terms to cover higher carrying costs.
Allocation details and next steps
Budget documents show that 62 percent of the adjusted general fund millage supports public safety salaries and equipment purchases. Another portion funds the city's contribution to the Shreveport Metropolitan Planning Commission, which oversees drainage projects in the Cross Lake and Red River corridors. The remaining share covers administrative costs at City Hall.
Property owners can review their new assessed values on the Caddo Parish Tax Assessor website starting August 1. Appeals must be filed by September 15. City finance staff will hold two public workshops in July at the Shreveport Municipal Auditorium to explain how the millage formula works for different property classes.
The next formal review of these rates is scheduled for the 2027 budget process, which begins with department requests in January.