Tyler Comeaux

The Board approved the financial report for February 2026. Legislative and procedural actions included the adoption of an ordinance to levy an ad valorem tax for 2026 and the approval of a resolution to amend a prior bond resolution to utilize excess funds for a railroad project. The Commission also authorized the replacement of a trustee for the Sports South project taxable revenue bonds and declared specific stevedoring equipment and supplies as surplus property. Additionally, the Port Director provided updates on recent activities and legislative committee meetings.

The board reviewed and approved the financial report for January 2026. The Port Director provided updates on several initiatives, including the preparation of the 2025 audit, the current legislative session, the rescheduling of the 2026 Port Night, and an upcoming after-action meeting with the City of Shreveport regarding recent water pressure concerns.

The Board approved the financial report for December 2025 and adopted Resolution No. 1 of 2026, which approves the systems survey and compliance questionnaire required by the Louisiana Legislative Auditor. Additionally, the Board appointed members to the Audit and Personnel Committees and received a report from the Port Director regarding ongoing projects, including rail expansion, the I-69 Service Road INFRA grant, fire district developments, and renovation efforts.

The meeting commenced with the Pledge of Allegiance, followed by a quorum confirmation. Unfinished business included the approval of the minutes for the Special Board Meeting and the Regular Board Meeting held on December 8, 2025. Key discussions under New Business involved the formal adoption of the Certification of the 2026 General Fund and Capital Operations Fund Budgets, as required by the Louisiana Local Government Budget Act. Furthermore, the slate of officers for 2026 was nominated and approved, naming Joshua Williams as President, Stephen Callaway as Vice President, and Brian Crawford as Secretary-Treasurer. The Port Director provided a report on ongoing activities, including clarification regarding DOTD curb cuts on Flournoy Lucas, and the meeting concluded with recognition of the Port Director's 30 years of service.

The primary discussion during this special meeting was an update on projects affecting adjacent landowners, as required by legislative mandate. Key projects reviewed included the proposed Rail project, for which a Development Concept for a two-mile rail site (capable of handling 100+ car unit trains) was submitted to Union Pacific, requiring careful engineering to avoid levy servitudes and existing gas wells, including the potential abandonment of a Heritage Energy well. Another major project discussed was the I-69 Service Road, an approximately 10-mile connection from I-49 to the Port complex, which has secured an INFRA grant, bringing the estimated construction cost to $80 million. Furthermore, updates were provided on the Flournoy Lucas development, including ongoing gas well pad construction by Apex (17 wells) and forthcoming stakeholder meetings for the master plan. Finally, the Tim James Roadway project, which will necessitate an overpass and traverse near existing neighborhoods and the 14 Oaks property, was reviewed.