In The News
Bob Whitaker, Safety Officer for the City of Zachary, partnered with Darian Williams of Diversified Management Holdings to host a defensive driving course today for City of Zachary employees. The class took place at the newly opened Zachary Police Department Training Center and was attended by 45 employees from various departments.
Defensive driving training plays a critical role in promoting safety among government employees who operate vehicles as part of their daily duties. The course covered essential skills such as accident avoidance, rapid response techniques, and managing unpredictable road conditions—all aimed at improving driver awareness and reducing risks on the road. “Providing our staff with the tools and knowledge to drive safely is not only a matter of personal safety but a reflection of our city’s commitment to excellence in public service,” said Whitaker. “This training ensures our employees are prepared, responsible, and focused on protecting both themselves and the community.”
In addition to enhancing road safety, defensive driving courses offer significant cost-saving benefits for government agencies by reducing the number of accidents, minimizing vehicle repair expenses, lowering insurance premiums, and decreasing lost time due to injuries. These practical benefits reinforce the City of Zachary’s commitment to safety, professionalism, and fiscal responsibility.
The City of Zachary extends its gratitude to Darian Williams and Diversified Management Holdings for their partnership in delivering this important training.
The City of Zachary extends its sincere thanks to Thornton, Musso & Bellemin (TMB) for their ongoing partnership and commitment to delivering clean, safe, and reliable water to our community. Headquartered in Zachary, TMB works closely with the City’s Utilities Maintenance Department to maintain the highest standards in water quality and infrastructure.
On April 30, TMB hosted its annual crawfish boil to show appreciation for City employees. Mayor David McDavid personally thanked the TMB team for their steadfast support and service to the community.
In 2023, the City of Zachary’s water system achieved a perfect score—80 out of 80 points—by the Louisiana Department of Health, a testament to the exceptional performance in water quality, system maintenance, and infrastructure. This outstanding rating reflects the strong collaboration between TMB and the City’s dedicated public works teams.
We celebrate this success as a shared achievement and remain #ZacharyProud of the partnerships that keep our city running strong.
To help voters better understand the proposed amendments to Zachary’s Home Rule Charter, which will appear on the May 3 ballot, Mayor McDavid invites you to listen to a recent podcast where he discusses the amendments in greater detail.
“These updates are designed to strengthen city government, enhance clarity, and improve operational efficiency,” said Mayor David McDavid.
https://www.buzzsprout.com/1914668/episodes/16990770
📣 Join Us for the City of Zachary Master Plan Workshop! 🏙️
We’re hosting a public workshop on Tuesday, April 23rd from 5:00 PM to 6:00 PM at the Zachary Branch Library to review and discuss the Draft Master Plan for the future of our city.
✅ Open to all residents
📍 Location: Zachary Branch Library
📍 Address: 1900 Church St, Zachary, LA 70791
🕔 Time: 5:00 PM – 6:00 PM
If you haven’t already, you can view the Draft Master Plan and Future Land Use Map on the City of Zachary website here.
This is your chance to learn more, ask questions, and help shape the vision for Zachary’s future. Don’t miss it!
Today is a great day for the City of Zachary, we broke ground on a project that marks a significant step forward in our public safety infrastructure. The construction of a new 310-foot self-supporting communications tower is not just a structure—it’s a lifeline for our first responders.
Located near Pride Port Hudson and Hwy. 19, this new tower will greatly enhance communication capabilities between our police, sheriff’s department, fire services, and EMS teams. For too long, our radio communications in this area have been unreliable and inconsistent. With the nearest tower located on Gurney Lane in Central, having a tower here in Zachary means quicker, clearer, and more dependable communication when seconds count.
We are incredibly grateful to the East Baton Rouge Communications District Board for allocating the necessary funding to make this project possible. "Your commitment to improving public safety is deeply appreciated. We also want to extend our sincere thanks to Mr. Larry Powenski, the landowner of this site, for his unwavering support and dedication in helping us bring this vision to life," says Mayor David McDavid.
Once completed, the City of Zachary will proudly maintain the tower’s generator, lighting, and surrounding grounds—ensuring that it continues to serve our community for many years to come.
This tower represents progress, preparedness, and partnership—and we are proud to see it rise right here in Zachary.
All Zachary Municipal offices will be closed on Thursday, April 17 in observance of the Good Friday holiday —with the exception of Zachary City Court, which will remain open.
Garbage & Recycling Pickup will not be affected and will run on its regular schedule.
Early Voting Alert for Zachary Residents!
Early voting for the May 3rd Municipal General Election runs from April 19 to April 26 (closed Sunday, April 20) between 8:30 a.m. and 6:00 p.m.
What’s on the ballot for City of Zachary voters?
- A Parishwide Proposition: District Attorney East Baton Rouge Millage
- A City of Zachary Proposition: Home Rule Charter Amendment
Make your voice heard — vote early!
On May 3rd, 2025 Zachary residents will vote on an updated Home Rule Charter, which outlines how the city is run. This is the first update in 15 years. The changes are intended to improve clarity and efficiency in the city's Plan of Government.
ZACHARY HOME RULE CHARTERUPDATE: What You Need to Know
Key Changes in the Charter:
1. Council Members (Section 2-01 & 2-02):
Provides Council Members with clearer rules on residence.
If a council member no longer meets qualifications, they automatically lose their position.
2. Council Meetings (Section 2-08):
Provides flexibility to schedule meetings.
The Mayor Pro Tempore, not the mayor, will run council meetings.
3. Mayor’s Absence (Section 3-06):
Sets up a clear plan for who takes charge if the Mayor is temporarily unavailable or disabled.
4. Mayor, Police Chief and Council Pay (Sections 2-03 & 3-07 & 4-06):
Clarifies how compensation for elected officials is to be set and adjusted.
5. City Administration (Sections 4-01 to 4-05):
Department heads don’t have to live in Zachary.
Lists responsibilities for Chief Administrative Officer and Chief Financial Officer.
6. Police Department (Section 4-06):
Confirms the Police Chief also serves as the City Marshal.
Allows the Police Chief to appoint a Deputy City Marshal.
6. City Budget (Section 5-02):
Reduces the budget proposal timeline from 60 to 45 days.
Provides if the council doesn’t approve a budget, 90% of the previous year’s budget becomes the default
7. City Bonds (Section 5-08):
Requires majority council approval to issue bonds and take on debt.
These updates aim to strengthen city government, improve clarity, and make operations more efficient. Be sure to vote on May 3rd.
Note: The amended charter may be reviewed on the official website of the City of Zachary – here
🚧 Attention Residents of Zachary! 🚧
The City Parish Traffic Engineering Division announces right-of-way clearing on MacHost Road. This project will begin on Monday, April 14, 2025, and will include tree trimming, tree removal, and other necessary preparations.
What to Expect:
- Partial lane closures and moving lane closures will be in effect throughout the project.
- Flagging operations will be set up to guide traffic safely through the area.
- "Closed to Through Traffic" signs will be placed daily at both ends of the road.
This project is expected to run from Monday, April 14th, 7 AM through Friday, August 29th, 2025.The work will be taking place on the side of the road, and safety measures will be in place to minimize disruptions.
We ask for your patience and cooperation as we work to improve the infrastructure in your community.
Thank you for understanding!
Attention: City of ZacharyUtility Customers:
Go Green with Paperless Billing! Help us reduce postage costs!
Make the eco-friendly choice by opting in for paperless billing! With paperless billing, your bill is conveniently emailed to you—no paper clutter. You can still pay your bill using any method you prefer. Choose convenience, reduce waste, and make the switch today!