Shreveport taxpayers pay twice as illegal tire dumping diverts funds

(The Center Square) – Shreveport consumers pay twice for the same tire disposal service, first as a disposal surcharge and then with taxpayer funds budgeted to public works, who pays to get rid of thousands of tires picked up each week at illegal dump sites.

There are sites near the airport, Queensborough or Booker T. Washington High School, the City Council said.

City officials believe unscrupulous business operators or tire haulers are to blame but police are unable to hold them accountable, according to statements made at a City Council meeting.

“We got to let the public know because it’s the taxpayers’ money,” said Jarvis Morgan, the city’s public works director.

Taxpayers are funding about $180,000 annually out of the public works budget to have them transported to a permitted waste tire facility. So citizens are effectively paying twice because they already chip in a $2.25 surcharge on each tire at the dealer.

“They’re just simply dumping wherever they wan...