About the Finance Department

Section 5.02 of the Home Rule Charter establishes the Department of Finance and provides for its duties and responsibilities.

Primary functions include:

• Collection and custody of all funds due to the Parish
• Disbursement of funds from the Parish treasury in accordance with applicable laws and budgetary restraints
• Maintenance of a centralized accounting system utilizing nationally accepted standards
• Procurement of all property, materials, supplies and services required by the Parish under a centralized purchasing system
• Providing assistance to the Parish Administrator in the preparation of the Annual Operating and Capital Improvement Budget
• Timely payment of principal and interest on Parish indebtedness
• Prudent investment of all Parish funds
• Preparation of monthly statements of revenues and expenditures
• Administration of data processing systems.

Other important functions include:

• Preparation of Parish payrolls and timely accounting for all employment taxes and deductions
• Maintenance of public records
• Application and accounting for federal and state grants
• Preparation and publication of the annual audited financial report
• Preparation of all regulatory and credit rating reports
• Issuance of all parish business licenses

The Department of Finance is committed to a high standard of excellence in the performance of these duties and responsibilities. Maintaining the public trust is our highest consideration.

Purchasing

If you sell supplies or services you can probably sell them to the Parish of Caddo. The Parish, through the Purchasing Division, contracts for almost millions of dollars in supplies and services each year.
The primary objective of the Purchasing Division is to acquire highest quality supplies and services at the lowest cost. We are constantly seeking new sources of supply and welcome your participation.
You will find doing business with the Parish easy. Most purchases are made through a comprehensive system of specifications and competitive bidding. This process ensures that contracts are awarded to the lowest bidder who complies with the specifications, terms and conditions, and who also has the capability to deliver the service or product in a timely manner.

Business Relations

We realize it is essential to develop good relationships with our suppliers. It is our policy to be fair and courteous to all vendors. However, our operating agencies are usually quite busy; therefore, it would be appreciated if you make the Purchasing Division your first point of contact. The Purchasing Division will then arrange contacts with our operating agencies. While walk-in sales calls are welcome, we suggest that you make an appointment prior to visiting the Purchasing Division in order to assure adequate time to address your concerns. Click here for a list of products and services purchased by departments.

Location

The Purchasing Division is located at 505 Travis Street, Suite 850. Office hours are 8:00 a.m. to 4:45 p.m., Monday through Friday. For appointments, please call (318) 226-6903.

Vendor/bidders’ list

The Purchasing Division maintains a centralized bidders’ list which is classified according to supplies or services provided. You may be placed on this list upon written application. Click here to request an application form. Supplemental catalogs and price lists are most helpful to the Purchasing Division.

Request for Quotations - ($7,500 – $15,000)

The Parish Purchasing Policy requires that all purchases up to $15,000 be made by requests for quotations. The procedure follows:

• A Request for Quotation (RFQ) or request for telephone quotes is made, depending upon the nature of the item to be purchased.
• As quotes are received they are tabulated and evaluated.
• A formal purchase order is prepared and issued to the Vendor.
• Some purchases under $7,500 may require quotes as well.

Competitive Sealed Bids - ($15,000 and greater)

It is the policy of the Parish to solicit competitive sealed bids for purchases exceeding $15,000. Click here for the latest Invitations to Bid.

The procedure follows:

• A public notice to bidders is issued in the local newspaper.
• Invitations for Bids issued to prospective vendors.
• Bids are received, tabulated and evaluated. Bid Results
• Awards are made to the lowest responsible bidder.
• Bid Awards are approved by the Purchasing Division.
• A formal purchase order is issued to the successful bidder.

Samples

When samples are requested, they will be held until the award is made. Samples for trial should be at no cost to the Parish. Samples should be clearly identified.

Taxes
The Parish of Caddo is exempt from all Federal and State sales taxes.

Purchasing Cards
Division heads or their designees are authorized to purchase items up to $500.00 with purchasing cards which function similar to credit cards.

Purchase Orders
All purchases other than those with a purchasing card must be authorized by purchase orders. Only the Purchasing Division may issue a formal purchase order.

Payment
The Purchasing Division is available to assist vendors by providing general information on the payment process. For assistance you may call (318) 226-6903.

Insurance and Bonds
The Parish of Caddo may require insurance and/or bonds from vendor’s doing business with the Parish of Caddo.

Complaints and Grievances
All vendor complaints or grievances should first be submitted in writing to the Purchasing Agent who will take prompt remedial action. The Purchasing Agent will investigate the validity of the complaint and present the findings in writing to the vendor. If the vendor is dissatisfied with the Purchasing Agent’s remedies, he may then make an appeal to the Parish Administrator. This policy does not preclude consideration of legal questions in connection with any decisions made by the Parish.

PARISH OF CADDO DEPARTMENT OF FINANCE PURCHASING DIVISION
P. O. Box 1127
Shreveport, LA 71163-1127
Phone: (318) 226-6903
Fax: (318) 226-6909
E-mail: purchasing at caddo.org

Contacts

Department of Finance
P. O. Box 1127
Shreveport, LA 71163-1127

Telephone & E-mail Directory

Map

 

Frequently Asked Question About the Finance Department

Q: How does the Parish determine the assessed value of my property?
Q: What is a property tax mill?
Q: What is the Homestead Exemption?
Q: Where do I pay my property tax bill?
Q: What permits and/or licenses will I need to operate a business in Caddo Parish?
Q: If I intend to sell alcohol, what permits or licenses do I need?
Q: Has the Parish paid or received my invoice?
Q: Why did I receive a notice regarding a paving lien against my property and why is my assessment more than my neighbor’s assessment?
Q: Where can I obtain copies of the annual audit report and the annual operating budget?

Q: How does the Parish determine the assessed value of my property?

A: Property is assessed by the Caddo Parish Tax Assessor. Questions concerning property assessments should be addressed to:

Caddo Parish Tax Assessor
501 Texas Street, Room 101
Shreveport, LA 71101
(318) 226-6701

Back

Q: What is a property tax mill?

A: A property tax mill is the tax rate on real property based on $1.00 per $1,000 of assessed property value. A mill is equal to 1/10 cent.

Back

Q: What is the Homestead Exemption?

A: The homestead exemption is a tax exemption on the first $75,000 of the value of a person's home. The value of your home is exempt up to $75,000 from state and parish property taxes. The exemption applies to all homeowners. If your home is worth $70,000, you are fully exempt from the payment of property taxes. If it is worth $90,000, you are exempt on the first $75,000 of value; and you pay taxes only on the remaining $15,000 of value. If your home is worth $200,000, you are exempt on the first $75,000 of value; and you pay taxes on the remaining $125,000 of value.

Back

Q: Where do I pay my property tax bill?

A: The Caddo Parish Tax Assessor values real estate and personal property in Caddo Parish for property tax purposes. The Parish of Caddo does not collect property taxes. Your property tax bill is sent to you at the end of each year by the Caddo Parish Sheriff and Tax Collector. Any inquiries concerning your property tax bill should be made to Caddo Parish Sheriff’s Office – Tax Division at (318) 681-0638.
Parish taxes should be remitted to:

Caddo Parish Sheriff’s Office
Tax Division
501 Texas Street, Room 101
Shreveport, LA 71101
(318) 681-0638

City taxes should be remitted to:

City of Shreveport
Revenue Customer Service
P.O. Box 31109
Shreveport, LA 71130
(318) 673-5500

Back

Q: What permits and/or licenses will I need to operate a business in Caddo Parish?

A: An occupational license tax is due and payable upon commencement of the business. The Parish issues a temporary license to conduct business for a period of 30 days. The temporary license must be updated after 30 days, and the original license will be mailed. Occupational licenses may be obtained from the Purchasing Department.

Back

Q: If I intend to sell alcohol, what permits or licenses do I need?

A: A class A or B Alcohol Beverage License is required for the sale of alcohol in the Parish. A class A license is for the consumption of liquor on the premises, class B is for liquor in package form only. Applications for an Alcohol Beverage License may be obtained from the Purchasing Department. The application must be accompanied by certified funds in the proper amount payable to the Parish. The amount payable depends on the type of business.

Back

Q: Has the Parish paid or received my invoice?

A: The Finance Department is responsible for paying invoices for the Parish of Caddo. Any questions concerning the payment or receipt of invoices should be directed to the Finance Department at (318) 226-6913.

Back

Q: Why did I receive a notice regarding a paving lien against my property and why is my assessment more than my neighbor’s assessment?

A: The Parish of Caddo has the authority to order the paving, repaving, or improvement of any streets, public alleys, or public places in the Parish whenever in its judgment and discretion it may be necessary. Property owners whose property abuts a dirt street may petition the Caddo Parish Commission to pave the street. Property owners who represent more than 50 percent of the assessable front footage must sign the petition. Currently, the Parish pays 60 percent of the costs of the paving with property owners on either side of the street paying 40 percent. Upon completion of a street paving project, 40 percent of the total cost of the project is assessed against the property owners on the basis of the owner’s respective front footage. Property owners may repay the assessment over a period of four (4) or nine (9) years. The current interest rate on street paving assessments is 5 percent. Until the assessment is paid in full, a lien is placed against the property and filed with the Clerk of Court. For more information on paving assessments, contact the Finance Department at (318) 429-7644.

Back

Q: Where can I obtain copies of the annual audit report and the annual operating budget?

A: Copies of audit reports and operating budgets can be obtained from the Department of Finance. Audit reports and operating budgets are also kept on file in the public documents area at the Shreve Memorial Library.

Back